Similarities to mad cow disease

EVIDENCE is growing that Alzheimer’s disease has similarities to the human form of ‘mad cow disease’ – CJD.

Both conditions are linked to rogue proteins which act like seeds and spread in the brain. CJD has been transmitted through blood transfusions and surgery, as well as human hormones given to children to treat growth problems. Different sets of surgical instruments are now used for people born before and after January 1997. This means younger people are not operated on with instruments used to treat older patients, as advised by watchdog Nice, in response to CJD concerns. Instruments used on those thought to be at risk are used only once or taken out of circulation following the procedure.

Fears of a link with Alzheimer’s have led surgeons to suggest similar surgery precautions might be needed.

Prions, proteins that spread in CJD, are similar to the amyloid plaques seen in Alzheimer’s, and are thought to be resistant to disinfectants used on surgical tools in the past.