title: [Prion diseases: disease diversity and therapeutics].
abstract: More than one hundred victims of iatrogenic CJD with cadaveric dura mater grafting have been recognized in Japan, and the people have been also exposed to a risk of outbreaks of variant CJD. These diseases are distinct from other forms of prion diseases as well as other neuropsychiatric disorders, but on an early clinical stage, their differential diagnoses from other atypical forms of prion diseases are not necessarily easy. Thus, atypical forms of prion diseases were overviewed and discussed here. In addition, data on recent clinical trials of enteral antimalarial drug (quinacrine or quinine) treatment or intracerebroventricular pentosan polysulfate treatment were presented and discussed, because research progress in the therapeutics for prion diseases has been remarkably made on the basis of the prevalence of those acquired forms of prion diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prion Research, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Katsumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doh-ura
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester