Kuru

Definition

Kuru is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions, primarily affecting the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. It is transmitted through the practice of ritualistic cannibalism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kuru is caused by infectious proteins known as prions.
2. The disease was prevalent among the Fore people due to their funerary cannibalism practices.
3. Symptoms include tremors, loss of coordination, and neurodegeneration leading to death.
4. Kuru has an incubation period that can last several years to decades.
5. The discovery of kuru helped in understanding other prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Review Questions

• What is the causative agent of kuru?
• How was kuru primarily transmitted among the Fore people?
• Name two symptoms associated with kuru.

Related terms

Prion: A misfolded protein that can transmit its misfolded shape onto normal variants of the same protein.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): A fatal degenerative brain disorder caused by prions, similar to kuru.

Neurodegenerative Disease: A condition which involves progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.