Prion Infections, Bone Grafts, and Alzheimer’s Risk
Alzheimer’s disease has long puzzled scientists, but recent discoveries suggest that it might be caused by something called prions—infectious proteins that can trigger the disease. This new understanding could change how we think about and treat Alzheimer’s.
What Are Prions?
Prions are proteins that can become misfolded and cause other proteins to misfold as well. This misfolding can lead to serious brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s, where two types of prions—beta-amyloid and tau—play a role. These prions clump together in the brain, causing damage and leading to symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
How Are Prions Transmitted?
Prions can be transmitted through certain medical procedures, such as tissue grafts from cadavers or contaminated surgical instruments. This is because prions are resistant to common sterilization methods, meaning they can remain on medical tools and be passed to patients.
Prions adhere tightly to metal surfaces. Simple surgical wires cleaned and sterilized in a hospital have been found to transmit human prion diseases from one surgical patient to another. Because prion disease requires decades between infection and symptoms, it is possible that patients may become infected with prions that will produce disease later in life. We all think our surgical instruments are clean; however, analysis of surgical instruments that have been cleaned and sterilized remain coated with a layer of proteins from previous surgeries.
Why Is This Important?
Alzheimer’s disease is becoming more common, and understanding the role of prions could help us prevent its spread. Unlike bone loss caused by periimplantitis, which can be treated directly, prion-related conditions like those seen in Alzheimer’s are harder to detect and treat. Misdiagnosis can happen if clinicians aren’t familiar with prion-infected tissues, especially those from cadaver bone grafts.
What Can Be Done?
Bone grafting using modern, science-based bone graft materials instead of the antiquated practice of using cadaver bone grafts can reduce the risk of prion infection. These alternatives are not only safer but also more effective in promoting bone health without the risks associated with prions.
This blog post was summarized from an article intended for a professional audience of clinicians with a science and/or medical background. If you would like to further educate yourself with deeper material, read the original article here:
FAQ
Prions are misfolded proteins that can cause other proteins to misfold, leading to brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Yes, prions can be transmitted through cadaver tissue grafts and contaminated surgical instruments.
Choosing science-based bone grafts over cadaver bone grafts can lower your risk as they are not derived from animal or human tissue.
MEMBER:
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS)
American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)