Abstract
Studies in experimental animals show apparent transmissibility of amyloidogenic proteins associated with prion, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or other neurodegenerative diseases. While these data raise potential concerns for public health, convincing evidence for human iatrogenic transmission currently only exists for prions and for β-amyloid (Aβ) after systemic injections of contaminated cadaver-derived growth hormone extracts or dura mater grafts. While these procedures are now obsolete, recent reports raise the possibility of iatrogenic Aβ transmission through putatively contaminated neurosurgical equipment. Iatrogenic Aβ-transmission appears to cause amyloid deposition in brain parenchyma and blood vessel walls, resulting in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) after several decades. CAA can cause life-threatening brain haemorrhages, yet there is currently no proof that Aβ-transmission could also lead to Alzheimer's dementia. Longer term, larger scale epidemiological studies and sensitive, cost-efficient amyloid detection tools are needed to better understand potential Aβ transmission routes and clarify whether other proteopathic seeds can be transferred iatrogenically.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 872-878 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Lancet Neurology |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 10 |
Early online date | 16 Sept 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2020 |
Research Groups and Themes
- Cerebrovascular and Dementia Research Group
Keywords
- Amyloid-beta
- prion
- proteopathic seed
- iatrogenic transmission
- neurosurgery
- blood transfusion