a 74 y/o lifetime xenophobic, agoraphobic, life long vegetarian had been experie

Question

a 74 y/o lifetime xenophobic, agoraphobic, life long vegetarian had been experiencing increasing dementia during the last few years. As a germaphobe she literally lives in a bubble by herself. She feared infectious diseases so much that all her food was grown in her protected greenhouse free from all infectious particles. her brain biopsy showed aggregation of certain proteins and hollow areas within the brain, but PCR and RT-PCR came back negative for pathogen DNA/RNA a. what was the agent that killed her? (b) what is the whole disease name? (c) how was it contracted? (d) what molecular test could be done to verify its identity? (e) what related disease has been found I cattle, particularly in the U.K. (use the medical term, not the media's name for it)?

Explanation / Answer

a). The agent that killed her is prions (misfolded proteins).

b). This disease is Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s occur due to the accumulation of beta amyloid plaques in the brain region. Gradual loss of memory, which generally observed in older adults, is characteristic of this disease.

c). Here the term "contract" refer to the disease transmittance. Alzheimer’s is not an infectious disease, and it shows some genetic inheritance.

d). Computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) tests are used to diagnose Alzheimer’s.

e). Mad cow disease is related to Alzheimer’s; both are caused due to prions (misfolded proteins). Mad cow disease occurs in cattle and is common in UK.

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