MODEL OF TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIC (TSE) DISEASE

摘要

The invention relates to the mechanism of transmission of spongiform encephalopathics. The invention provides simple diagnostic tests for animals that are infected with transmissible spongiform encephalopathic (TSF.) disease. The test comprises testing an animal for the presence of mutant non-viral retroelement nucleic acid molecules, wherein the presence of said mutant retroelement nucleic acid molecules is indicative of infection. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of TSE disease by administering to an animal a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound that is effective to conteract the effect of a non-viral mutant retroelement nucleic acid molecule in inducing TSE disease.