Post # 3- Disease Basics

Diseases Basics

My group and I will be studying Kuru Disease a disease that takes place among the indigenous Fore people of New Guinea.  It is caused by a mutated protein called a prion that clump together and destroy brain tissue.  Kuru can be transmitted through consumption of brain tissue and through contact with open wounds.  According to the National Institute Neurological Disorders and Stroke ( NINDS), the prognosis is terminal and deadly “Because Kuru mainly affected the cerebellum, which is responsible for coordination, the usual first symptoms were an unsteady gait, tremors, and slurred speech….Eventually, individuals became unable to stand or eat, and they died in a comatose state from 6 to 12 months after the first appearance of symptoms.” (NINDS).



            



Office of Communications and Public Liaison. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NINDS, 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.