Understanding Chronic Wasting Disease and its potential risks to humans
Comprehensive Phenotypic Profiling of Chronic Wasting Disease to Assess Transmissibility and Species Barriers
This study is looking at Chronic Wasting Disease in deer to understand how it works and if it could ever spread to humans, using specially designed mice to help find better ways to spot and manage the disease early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mc Laughlin Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Great Falls, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11004642 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), an infectious prion disease affecting deer and other cervids, by using mouse models to analyze the disease's characteristics and its potential to transmit to humans. The study aims to establish detailed phenotypic profiles of CWD in these models, which includes assessing behavior and tracking clinical biomarkers to improve early diagnosis and management strategies. Additionally, the research will explore the transmissibility of CWD to humans through specially engineered mice that mimic human genetic traits. This comprehensive approach seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps in understanding CWD and its zoonotic potential.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been exposed to cervids or are at risk of exposure to Chronic Wasting Disease.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have any exposure to cervids or are not at risk of developing CWD will likely not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and management strategies for Chronic Wasting Disease, potentially reducing risks to human health.
How similar studies have performed: While research on prion diseases is ongoing, this specific approach using mouse models to assess CWD's transmissibility to humans is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Great Falls, United States
- Mc Laughlin Research Institute — Great Falls, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grindeland, Andrea Lee — Mc Laughlin Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Grindeland, Andrea Lee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.