Prion Protein Disease and Neuropathology of Prion Disease

Human prion diseases, in common with other neurodegenerative diseases, may be sporadic or inherited and are characterized by the accumulation of cellular proteins accompanied by neuronal death and synaptic loss. Prion diseases are, however, unique in being transmissible. Central to the pathogenesis of all forms of prion disease is the prion protein. This article provides a brief overview of the biology of human prion diseases followed by a more in-depth discussion of the neuropathology of these diseases, including features of neuroradiologic relevance.