Rare Disease Show Episode 1 - Understanding Prion Disease ft. Dr. Rahul Chawla

Medical Dialogues presents a rare disease series, delving into the realm of uncommon medical conditions. Rare diseases are medical conditions that affect only a small percentage of the population. Throughout this series, we'll discuss these rare diseases in various episodes, with medical experts providing clear explanations and insights.

Rare Disease Show Episode 1-- In today's show we will cover Prion Disease. Prion diseases are rare and serious neurological conditions caused by abnormal proteins in the brain. Unlike viruses or bacteria, prions don't have genetic material and can spread by contact with infected tissue. They can affect humans and animals, causing diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and "mad cow" disease. Diagnosing and treating prion diseases is challenging due to their unusual nature, making research into effective treatments crucial.

In this episode, Dr. Rahul Chawla, a Neurologist, shares his insights by addressing the following questions- 

1. Can you describe what prion diseases are and how they differ from other neurodegenerative disorders? How is it rare?

2. Could you discuss the most common forms of prion diseases in humans and their typical clinical presentations?

3. What are the current diagnostic criteria and methods for prion diseases? How effective are they in early disease detection?

4. What treatment options are currently available for patients with prion diseases, and how effective are they in altering disease progression?

5. Prion diseases are often fatal and have no cure. How do you approach discussions about prognosis and care with patients and their families?

6. What are the challenges in developing effective treatments or vaccines for prion diseases?