"Focusing on the metabolism of copper and manganese, which are found in prion diseases like scrapie of sheep, BSE (the mad cow disease), and CJD, this book provides a summary of state-of-the-art research into prion disease and a thorough investigation of metals and their possible role in these neurodegenerative conditions. Topics addressed include prion and Alzheimer diseases, metals and human prion disease, the environmental fate of trace elements in soils, and disease progression."