What is the term for the aggregates formed by abnormal prion proteins in the brain?

• A. Clots
• B. Clusters
• C. Aggregates
• D. Compounds

Answer: (C)

The term that is commonly used to describe the aggregates formed by abnormal prion proteins in the brain is "aggregates." These aggregates result from the misfolding of prion proteins, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Mad Cow Disease. In the context of prion diseases, the abnormal proteins misfold and induce other normal proteins to also misfold, leading to a cascading accumulation of these proteins that form insoluble aggregates.

These aggregates are associated with various cellular dysfunctions and neurotoxicity, contributing to the pathology of the diseases. The use of "aggregates" specifically reflects the nature of the accumulation of misfolded proteins in a way that distinguishes them from other forms, like clots or compounds, which do not accurately capture the specific biochemical and pathological characteristics of prion diseases.