Prion Madness

Prions are misfolded proteins commonly found in the muscle tissue of Desereti land animals that cause neurodegenerative disorders and death. This occurs when prions aggregate inside the brain where they form plaques known as amyloid, which disrupt the normal tissue structure. This condition is commonly referred to as Prion Madness.

Symptoms

Individuals with Prion Madness been observed to have an abnormal walking rhythm, changes in their normal behavior, tremors and hyper-responsiveness to certain stimuli such as bright noises or lights. Changes in the individual's gait occurs when muscle control is lost, and may result in either paralysis or death. Behavioral changes may include aggression, anxiety, paranoia, or a frenzied demeanor. 

 Physical signs of Prion Madness that have been observed signs include pacing, and persistent and vigorous rubbing or licking or the hand and fingers. Once symptoms begin, they typically get worse over the course of weeks and months, eventually leading to paralysis, coma and death.

Cure

The Prion Inoculation, developed in XX DE by researchers at the University of Zarahemla, is a cocktail of bacteria native to Deseret which are injected into the stomach. These bacteria, if not rejected by the body, allow an individual to digest the prions (misfolded proteins) that occur naturally in many species of animal life of Deseret.

While the Inoculation usually works without side effects, sometimes a body will reject the bacteria, going through Prion Fever where the body goes into fever to burn the foreign entities out. Children born to parents who have been inoculated have a high chance of being born with the bacteria naturally present in their digestive systems, and therefore less prone to developing Prion Fever.

Type

Prion

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon

In XX DE, Karyn Tanner, whose writings would lead to the creation of the fundamentalist organization Wheat of the Lord, would lead a few of her friends and family into the wilderness near Zarahemla.  Declaring themselves 'sovereign citizens" they denied all legal authority of the Desereti government over them.  They believed that because of their personal righteousness God would make the animal life of Deseret edible for them, as God had done something similar for the family of Lehi in the Book of Mormon.  Within a few short weeks almost all members of the group were showing symptoms of Prion Madness.  Over half would die before returning to Zarahemla.