Events › Conversations with the Department of Neuroscience: The Prion Predicament - How a Misfolded Protein Can Kill Your Brain

Prions are clumps of misfolded proteins that spread through the brain, killing brain cells. They infamously cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in animals, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans. We now know that different types of prions are also killing the brain in some of the common human dementia syndromes, like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Come learn the latest on how something as simple as a misfolded protein can wreak havoc in the brain.

Dr. Valerie Sim describes herself as a scientist who practices medicine to support her music habit. By day, she is a neuroscientist and clinical neurologist at the University of Alberta, where she runs a research lab devoted to understanding how misfolded proteins can cause dementia. She loves talking about the science of prions (see her TEDx talk for more…). She also cares for patients with a variety of neurological disorders, including dementia, and teaches medical students and residents how to diagnose and help people with neurological problems. By night, she is a violinist, violist, pianist and composer, performing with many local ensembles and internationally with the World Doctor’s Orchestra.

Please note that the purpose of this presentation is to provide general information and current research findings. Doctors cannot comment on or answer questions about individual cases or concerns.