Abstract
Efforts to treat transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) date back to the middle of the 20th century. Early studies were colored by the belief that TSE was caused by a ‘slow’ or ‘unconventional’ virus, and a variety of antiinfective agents, together with scores of drugs drawn at random from other categories, predictably failed to provide any benefit, apart from polyanionic compounds and polyene antibiotics that prolonged the incubation period of disease in experimental animals. With the discovery in the 1980s that TSE apparently results from the malformation of a normal host protein, attempts at treatment could at last be rationally focused, and can be broadly categorized as genetic, immunologic, and pharmacologic. Genetic ‘neutralization’ of the pathogen has shown excellent results in experimental animals but is unlikely to be useful until the same kind of engineering can be effectively applied to humans. Immunologic methods to accomplish the same result have also shown some success in animals, but forays into the pharmacologic realm have been generally disappointing. Most reported ‘successes’ have been limited to prolonged incubation periods, and even then only when the treatment was begun at or near the time of infection, which is not known in sporadic or familial human disease. However, a few methods using the more rigorous model of treatment nearer the onset of symptomatic disease have begun to yield promising results that, if coupled with a practical screening test for pre-clinical infection, would be the optimal strategy for prevention or cure.
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: An Historical Perspective on Efforts to Treat Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy
Volume: 8 Issue: 5
Author(s): P. Brown
Affiliation:
Abstract: Efforts to treat transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) date back to the middle of the 20th century. Early studies were colored by the belief that TSE was caused by a ‘slow’ or ‘unconventional’ virus, and a variety of antiinfective agents, together with scores of drugs drawn at random from other categories, predictably failed to provide any benefit, apart from polyanionic compounds and polyene antibiotics that prolonged the incubation period of disease in experimental animals. With the discovery in the 1980s that TSE apparently results from the malformation of a normal host protein, attempts at treatment could at last be rationally focused, and can be broadly categorized as genetic, immunologic, and pharmacologic. Genetic ‘neutralization’ of the pathogen has shown excellent results in experimental animals but is unlikely to be useful until the same kind of engineering can be effectively applied to humans. Immunologic methods to accomplish the same result have also shown some success in animals, but forays into the pharmacologic realm have been generally disappointing. Most reported ‘successes’ have been limited to prolonged incubation periods, and even then only when the treatment was begun at or near the time of infection, which is not known in sporadic or familial human disease. However, a few methods using the more rigorous model of treatment nearer the onset of symptomatic disease have begun to yield promising results that, if coupled with a practical screening test for pre-clinical infection, would be the optimal strategy for prevention or cure.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Brown P., An Historical Perspective on Efforts to Treat Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2009; 8 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152709789541989
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152709789541989 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Techniques of Drug Repurposing: Delivering a new life to Herbs & Drugs
Of late, with the adaptation of innovative approaches and integration of advancements made towards medical sciences as well as the availability of a wide range of tools; several therapeutic challenges are being translated into viable clinical solutions, with a high degree of efficacy, safety, and selectivity. With a better understanding ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
The Importance of NAD in Multiple Sclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Triptan-Induced Torsades de Pointes and Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Current Drug Safety Editorial: Alzheimer's Disease: From Molecular Mechanisms to Psychobiological Perspectives
Current Alzheimer Research Tau Truncation is a Productive Posttranslational Modification of Neurofibrillary Degeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Biomarkers of Aging with Prognostic and Predictive Value in Non-Oncological Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Ceramide Involvement in Apoptosis and Apoptotic Diseases
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Effect of Genetic Polymorphisms (SNPs) in CHRNA7 Gene on Response to Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEI) in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Drug Targets The Roles of Phosphodiesterase 2 in the Central Nervous and Peripheral Systems
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cardiovascular Side Effects of New Antidepressants and Antipsychotics: New Drugs, old Concerns?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Transgenic Overproduction of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Provides Neuroprotection and Enhances Endogenous Neurogenesis After Stroke
Current Molecular Medicine The Adult Patient with Eisenmenger Syndrome: A Medical Update after Dana Point Part II: Medical Treatment - Study Results
Current Cardiology Reviews Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacotherapy of Military Personnel Suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Current Neuropharmacology Cross-Talk Between NO Synthase Isoforms in Neuro-Inflammation: Possible Implications in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders
Current Medicinal Chemistry In Silico Studies in Drug Research Against Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Neuropharmacology Recent Developments in the Treatment of Alcoholic Chronic Pancreatitis
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Brutons Tyrosine Kinase as a New Therapeutic Target
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Treating Hypertension in the Elderly: Common Problems and Solutions
Current Hypertension Reviews Statin Treatment Non-adherence and Discontinuation: Clinical Implications and Potential Solutions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Expression of Signaling Molecules in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Current HIV Research