Future Directions of Prion Disease Research

Future directions

Modified picture adapted from Alberta Prion Research Institute (1).

There should be continual investigation of Prion protein conversion mechanism and the identification of the infectious material to elucidate possible targets for diagnosis and treatments in Prion diseases.
There should be continual development of efficient and sensitive diagnostic tools on cattle and related food products that exceed international trade standards (2). Diagnostic tools can also be applicable to detect infectivity in human Prion diseases.
RNA based treatment may help to eliminate Prion diseases in live stocks, providing a safer food source (2), treatments may also be applicable in human Prion diseases.
A network should be established among Prion disease public and private research institutions for more efficient knowledge update/sharing (2).

Prion disease is an emerging concern for the general public, government, farms, and the health sector. Therefore, more funding on RNA-based Prion research is needed to fully understand Prion protein conversion, and to develop better diagnostic tools and treatments. More knowledge on this disease will raise public confidence on the safety of food consumption and shed some light on treating Prion diseases in humans.

References

(1) Alberta Prion Research Institute. [Internet] Why Prion Research?(Canada) [date unknown]- [cited 2007 Mar12] Available from: http://www.Prioninstitute.ca/basics.aspx?section=4&header=Prions3.

(2) Canadian Institute of Health Research [database on the internet]. Meeting the Challenge of Prion Diseases: Conference Proceedings and Invitational Research Planning Workshop Report(Canada). 2006 July -[cited 2007 Mar 12] Available from http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/25283.html#exec_summary.