Fatal Protein: The Story of CJD, BSE, and Other Prion Diseases [Hardcover]

Rosalind M. Ridley (Author), Harry F. Baker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198524358 | ISBN-13: 978-0198524359 | Publication Date: June 11, 1998

A comprehensive and authoritative survey of the prion diseases, this volume combines scientific accuracy with a lively style of writing to explore every aspect of prion diseases, including molecular genetics, epidemiology, clinical data, laboratory research, and field studies. Ridley and Baker--both researchers with over two decades of experience in the field--look at several theories of the prion diseases, present detailed descriptions of the human prion diseases, examine the evidence that a new variant of the Creutzfeld-Jakob disease results from eating food infected by BSE, and trace the history of scrapie in sheep, the spread of kuru through cannibalism, and the "mad cow disease" epidemic in Britain. At the heart of the book lies a discussion of the still controversial "prion theory", which maintains that the infectious agent is a normal brain protein which takes on abnormal, mutant shape and function. The potential of similar processes underlying more common diseases is also investigated.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`the first-hand chronicle of evolution of the BSE crisis is a well-written source of information that is not easily retrievable elsewhere' Nature

`'...,Ridley and Baker provide a laudably balanced and well-informed review of what was and was not known about prions when crucial decisions were made...the first-hand chronicle of the evolution of the BSE crisis is a well-written source of information that is not easily retrievable elsewhere.'' Adriano Aguzzi, Nature, Vol.393

`'...Read this book...It has a lot of useful information in it. Those with a biological background will profit from it...'' THES

`'A fascinating history of the emergence of a new concept in biology...The book is a clear and authoritative account of the whole clinical, biological, and cultural prion picture. Whether you are a...biologist, popular science seeker or cultural phenomenist, you'll enjoy this book.'' Marc Gutenstein, Student BMJ

About the Author

Rosalind Ridley and Harry Baker are both on the MRC Comparative Cognition Team at the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198524358
• ISBN-13: 978-0198524359
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,031,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.