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Prion research Göttingen

Services

Specific tasks

• Epidemiological studies and provision of advice and information to physicians, hospitals, and public health institutions on epidemiological aspects and characteristics
  
• Maintaining a reference database for human spongiform encephalopathies, including registration of potential risk factors
• Epidemiological evaluation and interpretation of the collected data in coordination with the Robert-Koch Institut; initiation of and participation in surveillance projects
• Provision of training and continuing education on human spongiform encephalopathies

General tasks

• Development of diagnostic tests
• Coordination of the standardization and distribution of universal tests
• Initiation and execution on national and international laboratory ring tests
• Typing of the agent by performing, for example, molecular biological analyses for identification of epidemiological characteristics
• Maintaining a collection of specimens and distribution of reference samples or reference preparations for diagnostic and scientific
• Provision of advice to diagnostic laboratories
• Epidemiological studies and evaluation of the evolution of resistance and virulence
• Notification of suspected cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) to the competent public health authorities

Additional services

• CSF analysis in suspected cases of CJD and other dementia
• Examination of patients with suspected CJD by a study physician in the hospitals reporting the cases, including assistance with the evaluation of medical examination results and follow-up findings
• Provision of advice on diagnosis, therapy, and hygienic aspects of human spongiform encephalopathies in Germany
• Provision of consultation on the evaluation of EEGs and MRI scans
• Differential diagnosis of atypical dementias
• Up-to-date information on the most recent developments for coorperating hospitals