Question

Which of the following conditions in humans is linked to bovine spongiform encephalopathy?

1) kuru
2) Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome
3) Fatal familial insomnia
4) Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Answer 1

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is linked to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in humans and is contracted through the consumption of infected cattle products. vCJD is a fatal neurological disorder with no effective treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition in humans linked to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as "mad cow disease," is variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). This is a prion disease that can be contracted by consuming products, such as meat or nervous tissue, from cattle infected with BSE. vCJD is a rare but fatal condition marked by rapid neurological degeneration, leading to symptoms such as cognitive difficulties, psychiatric symptoms, and movement disorders. There is no effective treatment for vCJD and the disease ultimately leads to death.