Kuru
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Kuru. This occurs in the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. It results from ritualistic cannibalism of dead relatives. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Epidemiology
- This occurs in the Fore people of Papua New Guinea
- It results from ritualistic cannibalism of dead relatives
- It usually affects women and young children
- It has a very long incubation period
- The disease duration is about 12 months to death
Prodromal stage features
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Clinical stages
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Movement disorders
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Other neurological features
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Psychiatric features
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Pathology
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References
- Imran M, Mahmood S. An overview of human prion diseases. Virol J 2011; 8:559.
- Liberski PP, Sikorska B, Lindenbaum S, et al. Kuru: genes, cannibals and neuropathology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2012; 71:92-103.
- Liberski PP, Sikorska B, Brown P. Kuru: the first prion disease. Adv Exp Med Biol 2012; 724:143-153.
