A route for prion neuroinvasion

The astonishing recognition that self-propagating changes in protein struct ure may be at the basis of spongiform encephalopathies is changing our view s of transmissible diseases. Infectious agents consisting of abnormally fol ded proteins(i.e., the prion) can propagate in host organisms using previou sly unrecognized routes and invade the brain after a dangerous liaison with the immune system. The identification of the nodal points of neuroinvasion and new techniques to amplify minute amounts of misfolded proteins may ope n the possibility for post exposure prophylaxis.