Disease Background. TSEs refer to several apparently related diseases including Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD) and its new variant (nvCJD), kuru, bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow disease"), and others. In general, the TSEs develop progressively over many years and are invariably fatal due to extensive central nervous system damage. At present, definitive diagnosis can be made only at autopsy. The diseases, which are relatively rare in humans, have been documented most extensively in hoofed mammals. The current disease theory attributes TSEs to "prions," normal cell membrane proteins with atypical three-dimensional configurations that are transmitted by ingestion or blood transfer. The health threats posed by TSEs appear to involve prion-contaminated food and blood supplies. Research and development of means for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment face significant difficulties. These include uncertainty about disease mechanisms, TSE's slow progression in most cases, the lack of a diagnostic tool, and uncertainty about the similarity between the animal and human diseases. In addition, TSE research requires BioSafety Level 3 facilities for some work.
Overview of the Program. The DOD NPRP was established in FY02 by Joint Appropriations Conference Committee Report No. 107-350, which provided $42.5M for research on prion disease. The Senate Appropriations Committee Report No. 107-109 also specified that "The priority goal of the Project's first phase is to rapidly develop a diagnostic test to detect the presence of prion disease." Military, scientific, regulatory, industry, and public health stakeholders provided input on the major issues in TSE research. A smaller programmatic advisory group (IP), composed of TSE experts from the military, scientific, regulatory, industry, and public health communities, was selected based on the stakeholders' recommendations.
The FY02 NPRP investment strategy was determined by the IP at a vision setting meeting. Four award mechanisms were supported: two training award mechanisms and two research award mechanisms. A total of 136 proposals were received in response to the Program Announcements, which were scientifically and programmatically reviewed. These deliberations were supported by an interim IOM report titled "Advancing Prion Science: Guidance for the National Prion Research Program." The USAMRMC negotiated with the IOM to assess the field of TSE, focusing on prion detection and disease diagnosis.
Program Outcomes. The outcomes of the NPRP-funded research can in part be gauged by the number of resultant publications (161), abstracts/presentation (209), and patents (12) reported to date by the awardees. Details on each award funded are located on the CDMRP website under Search Awards.
Overview of the Program. The DOD NPRP was established in FY02 by Joint Appropriations Conference Committee Report No. 107-350, which provided $42.5M for research on prion disease. The Senate Appropriations Committee Report No. 107-109 also specified that "The priority goal of the Project's first phase is to rapidly develop a diagnostic test to detect the presence of prion disease." Military, scientific, regulatory, industry, and public health stakeholders provided input on the major issues in TSE research. A smaller programmatic advisory group (IP), composed of TSE experts from the military, scientific, regulatory, industry, and public health communities, was selected based on the stakeholders' recommendations.
The FY02 NPRP investment strategy was determined by the IP at a vision setting meeting. Four award mechanisms were supported: two training award mechanisms and two research award mechanisms. A total of 136 proposals were received in response to the Program Announcements, which were scientifically and programmatically reviewed. These deliberations were supported by an interim IOM report titled "Advancing Prion Science: Guidance for the National Prion Research Program." The USAMRMC negotiated with the IOM to assess the field of TSE, focusing on prion detection and disease diagnosis.
Program Outcomes. The outcomes of the NPRP-funded research can in part be gauged by the number of resultant publications (161), abstracts/presentation (209), and patents (12) reported to date by the awardees. Details on each award funded are located on the CDMRP website under Search Awards.
