transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE)

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of rare, fatal brain disorders caused by abnormal proteins called prions. These prions can induce normal proteins in the brain to change shape, leading to brain damage. TSEs develop slowly, causing symptoms like memory loss, coordination problems, and mental decline. They can be transmitted through contaminated tissue, food, or medical procedures. Examples include mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. Since prions are resistant to standard sterilization, preventing transmission involves strict controls on infection sources. TSEs are universally fatal and currently have no effective cure.