The following is an animation demonstrating the effects of prions on neuronal cells. Prions are misfolded proteins which provoke an array of neurodegenerative diseases. Proteins are necessary for every human being to maintain health; however, if misfolding occurs it is completely debilitating and inevitably leads to death. The neurodegenerative disease caused by prions may affect humans and animals leading to brain vacuolation, astrogliosis, neuronal apoptosis and an accumulation of misfolded proteins

A sample of a normal brain tissue with healthy prion proteins.

Transformation of a healthy prion (PrPc) protein to an unhealthy prion protein (PrPsc). This conversion occurs from a PrPsc contacting a PrPc and conforming it to a misfolded prion protein or PrPsc. This transformation causes a “domino effect” or self replication of unhealthy prion conversion.

Overtime all of the PrPc prions are conformed to PrPsc prions.

Due to the misfolded shape of PrPsc, they tend to aggregate, forming amyloid fibers which causes cell death.

Astrocytes then come into the cell to digest all of the dead cells.

Due to the astrocytes digesting all of the dead cells, vacuoles are left in place of the absent cells.

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