Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of rare, degenerative brain disorders caused by misfolded proteins called prions. These prions can trigger normal proteins in the brain to also misfold, leading to brain damage and the formation of spongy lesions. TSEs affect both animals, like mad cow disease in cattle, and humans, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Symptoms often include memory loss, changes in behavior, and coordination issues. TSEs are transmissible, meaning they can spread between individuals or species, often through contaminated food or medical procedures, and are currently untreatable and fatal.