KURU ENCEPHALOPATHY Meaning and
Definition
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Kuru encephalopathy is a rare, degenerative neurological disorder that affects humans. It is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), which means it is caused by abnormal proteins called prions. The condition primarily affected a small population in the Fore people of Papua New Guinea.
The term "kuru" is derived from a local word meaning "shivering," which refers to one of the characteristic symptoms of the disease. The main feature of kuru encephalopathy is the progressive degeneration of the brain, resulting in various neurological impairments.
Symptoms typically include uncoordinated movements, tremors, muscle stiffness, difficulty swallowing, and impaired speech. As the disease progresses, affected individuals may experience cognitive decline, memory problems, and behavioral changes. In later stages, they may become incapacitated and bedridden.
Kuru is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated human brain tissue, primarily through the ritualistic cannibalism that was practiced in the Fore tribe. The prions responsible for the disease can contaminate the brain, spinal cord, and other nervous tissues, leading to the accumulation of abnormal proteins and subsequent brain damage.
Due to the cessation of cannibalistic practices and the implementation of public health measures, cases of kuru have significantly declined since the 1950s. However, isolated cases may still occur. Presently, there is no cure for kuru encephalopathy, and treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms and providing supportive care.
Kuru encephalopathy serves as an important case study in understanding the transmission and pathology of prion diseases, which have implications for the broader field of neurodegenerative disorders.
Common Misspellings for KURU ENCEPHALOPATHY
- juru encephalopathy
- muru encephalopathy
- luru encephalopathy
- ouru encephalopathy
- iuru encephalopathy
- kyru encephalopathy
- khru encephalopathy
- kjru encephalopathy
- kiru encephalopathy
- k8ru encephalopathy
- k7ru encephalopathy
- kueu encephalopathy
- kudu encephalopathy
- kufu encephalopathy
- kutu encephalopathy
- ku5u encephalopathy
- ku4u encephalopathy
- kury encephalopathy
- kurh encephalopathy
- kurj encephalopathy
Etymology of KURU ENCEPHALOPATHY
The word "kuru" is derived from the Fore language spoken by the Fore tribe in Papua New Guinea, where the outbreak of kuru was first identified. In the Fore language, "kuru" means "to shake" or "trembling".
"Encephalopathy" is a medical term composed of two Greek roots: "encephalo-" meaning "related to the brain" and "-pathy" meaning "disease" or "disorder". Therefore, "encephalopathy" refers to any disease or disorder affecting the brain.
Thus, "kuru encephalopathy" describes the specific brain disorder characterized by a progressive and degenerative neurological syndrome, primarily seen in the Fore tribe, with symptoms including tremors, lack of coordination, and eventually leading to death.
