Boffins reverse 'mad cow disease' in mice
Scientists have reversed "mad cow disease" symptoms in mice, raising hopes of similar treatments for humans.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) team managed to rid the rodents of memory and behavioural problems associated with the cattle disease BSE and its human equivalent, variant CJD.
VCJD and other "spongiform encephalopathy" diseases are associated with rogue prion proteins in the brain, which change shape and start to accumulate.
Rogue prions appear to cause serious damage to the brain, creating holes and turning it "spongy".
As the misshapen proteins convert more and more normal prions into the mutant form, the disease spreads.
The MRC scientists, led by Dr Giovanna Mallucci, halted this chain reaction of infection by genetically switching off production of normal prion protein.
