prion disease

noun

: any of a group of spongiform encephalopathies that are caused by prions and that include bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, kuru, scrapie, and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

called also transmissible spongiform encephalopathy

Examples of prion disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The prion disease, first identified in a Colorado research facility in the 1970s, has been making headlines for decades. Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2024 Chronic wasting disease is a prion disease — a rare, neurodegenerative disorder caused by misfolded proteins, called prions, that damage brain tissue. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024 The letter also notes that lions help curb the spread among ungulates of chronic wasting disease, a highly contagious prion disease, by removing sick animals. Byhannah Richter, science.org, 1 Nov. 2024 In the pilot episode, directed by Larry Teng, Watson is confronted with a case of fatal familial insomnia which is coupled with the challenge of trying to help a pregnant woman with the neurodegenerative prion disease live long enough to deliver her baby. Liza Foreman, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prion disease 

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prion disease was in 1986

Dictionary Entries Near prion disease

Cite this Entry

“Prion disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prion%20disease. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

prion disease

noun
: any of a group of spongiform encephalopathies that are caused and transmitted by prions and that include bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, fatal familial insomnia, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome, kuru, scrapie, and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

called also transmissible spongiform encephalopathy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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