What are Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs)?
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect both humans and animals. They are characterized by long incubation periods, neuronal loss, and a spongiform appearance of the brain tissue. TSEs are caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that can induce other normal proteins to also misfold, leading to a cascade of brain damage.