A protein variant can provide protection from deadly brain-wasting
Evolution found cure for prion disease spread by cannibalism
BRAIN DRAIN Prion diseases, such as kuru and mad cow disease, result when a normal brain protein (lower left) morphs into a disease-causing form and converts its normal counterparts. The twisted proteins form clumps (upper center) or strands that cluster in large plaques (lower right) that kill brain cells.
Nicolle Rager Fuller