Prion Diseases [Hardcover]

John Collinge (Editor), Mark S. Palmer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0198547897 | ISBN-13: 978-0198547891 | Edition: 1st

The number of neurological conditions associated with the mutant "prion" proteins continues to grow. The list includes BSE and scrapie, which affect cattle and sheep respectively, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease, which affects humans. This is an area of intense interest to neuroscientists, veterinary scientists, and clinicians. It has also attracted significant media attention with the recent outbreak of mad cow disease in Britain because of the potential risks to humans.
This book brings together leading researchers in the field, including S. Prusiner--the researcher who first suggested that the cause of prion diseases is a protein rather than a virus. The volume represents the most up-to-date and authoritative summary available. It describes the basic structural properties of the prion protein, covers the cell biology and transgenic models of prion disease, and discusses the pathology of the diseases affecting animals and humans. The authors also provide an historical perspective and look into the future implications of current research.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`This book provides a thorough summary of the subject from cell biology and transgenic models of prion disease to their neurophysiology and pathology.' Aslib Book Guide, vol.62, no.9, September 1997

`a brief, yet fairly comprehensive, book that cuts through the confusion. The structure of the book is well thought out ... the authors and editors give a very readable and concise treatment of a subject that is riddled with phenomena that challenge logic and presuppositions. For the reader with some molecular background, this represents an invaluable resource and, for the reader without, it provides a worthwhile challenge.' Trends in Microbiology, vo.5, no.9, September 1997

`The various authors did an excellent job of avoiding the presentation of repetitive information. This book presents a complete history and outlines the up-to-date advances in TSEs without going into unnecessary detail. ... useful for all those interested in prion diseases. It would be helpful to the researcher established in the field as well as the novice. It offers a comprehensive ... source of information and references which would be a welcome addition to one's bookshelf.' TINS, vol.20, no.11, 1997

'...summarises the science of human and animal prion diseases to the end of 1996...worth your local medical library having a copy.'

`'This book comprises seven reviews, with extensive lists of references, by world authorities on prion diseases on the following aspects: introduction to prion diseases and human prion diseases (by Palmer, M.S. and Collinge, J.); pathology of prion diseases (Ironside, J.W., and Bell, J.E.); animal prion diseases (Bradley, R.); cell biology and transgenic models of prion diseases (Prusiner,S.B.); neurophysiology of prion diseases (Jefferys, J.G.R.); and structural properties of the prion protein (Smith, C. and Clarke, A.R.). An appendix gives the alignment of amino acids of the prion protein from 11 species. There is a subject index.'' CAB International

`'...This book is,...worth you local medical library having a copy.'' Professor S. Myint, CME Bulletin Medical Microbiology, Vol.2, no.2, May/June 1998.

`'...The book has the merit of being quite short,...However, you do not get the impression that anything important is missed out. In fact, there are interesting details afforded about some aspects of these fascinating disease that are not readily found elsewhere,...The text is generally concise but comprehensive and up-to-date. For its length it is exceptionally well referenced....this is a very good guide to where prion research has come from, where it is going and what its current concerns are.'' Margaret Esiri, Neuromuscular Disorders 7 (1997) 548-549.

About the Author

J. Collinge, Professor, Prion Disease Group, St Mary's Hospital, London. M. Palmer, Doctor, Prion Disease Group, St Mary's Hospital, London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 205 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st edition (January 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198547897
• ISBN-13: 978-0198547891
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,313,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)