Question

Which of the following is not a prion disease?
A. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
B. Scrapie
C. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
D. Lewy body dementia

Answer 1

Hint: Prion disease is a type of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder. A prion is an infectious protein which is a defective protein that hinders the normal functioning of other proteins. These diseases are also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).
Complete step-by-step answer: Prion proteins are a type of protein present in the brain. Prions refers to abnormal, pathogenic agents which cause abnormal folding of the normal cellular prion proteins of the brain. This abnormality of the functioning of the prion proteins leads to diseases such as:-Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Scrapie and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Lewy body dementia is also a neurodegenerative disorder and it occurs due to abnormal deposition of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain cells. These depositions are known as Lewy bodies. These Lewy bodies hinder the normal functioning of the chemicals present in the brain which leads to problems related to thinking, movement, moods, and behavior.
The precise cause of Lewy body dementia is unknown but it occurs majorly because of Lewy bodies accumulation leading to the loss of neurotransmitters in the brain like acetylcholine and dopamine, which are responsible for movement, learning, motivation, sleep etc.
Age and genetic factors are common causes that can cause this disease. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease may also be one of the causes of Lewy body dementia.
Therefore, the correct answer is option D- Lewy body dementia.
Note: Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) also known as mad-cow disease, occurs in cattle and is a neurodegenerative disorder.
- Scrapie is a degenerative disease which affects the nervous system in Sheep’s and Goats.
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a human prion disease and is a neurodegenerative disorder which is fatal.