General Information About Mad Cow Disease
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is not a virus or bacteria, but a progressive nervous system disorder where misfolded proteins called 'prions' settle in the brain, corrupt normal proteins, and rapidly degenerate the brain.
It got this name because when the infection (BSE) begins in the source animals, cattle, their brains are destroyed, causing them to become aggressive and experience a loss of balance (acting madly).
Prion proteins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. It is transmitted to humans through the consumption of meat/products from diseased cattle, especially those containing brain, spinal cord, and nerve tissues. It is not transmitted from human to human through contact.
The incubation period of the disease can take years, but once symptoms begin, it progresses rapidly. Severe memory loss, depression, hallucinations, sudden muscle twitches, difficulty walking (ataxia), and rapidly deepening dementia are observed.
It is suspected when symptoms show a very rapidly progressing picture of dementia. Typical findings on a brain MRI and deteriorations on an EEG are seen, and a definitive diagnosis is made through cerebrospinal fluid examination/biopsy.
With current medical knowledge, there is no drug or cure that can stop the progression of the disease or heal the brain. Treatment consists solely of palliative (supportive) care aimed at alleviating the patient's pain and improving their quality of life.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
