International authorities here investigate research into the prion diseases which include Scrapie of sheep, BSE the "Mad Cow" disease, and CJD one of the human diseases. The role of metals in these diseases has become of great importance, linking it with some of the changes in Alzheimer’s disease. The book focuses on metabolism of copper and manganese which are found in these diseases. It stems from proceedings of the international workshop at Christ’s College, Cambridge University in 2001. After an introduction on the history of research into the diseases, there are discussions on the effects of copper on biochemical properties and prion proteins of brain cells, and newer techniques for their study. There is also a section on the relationship of Alzheimers disease to prion diseases. – Focuses on metabolism of copper and manganese, which are found in Scrapie of sheep; BSE, the "Mad Cow" disease; and CJD, one of the human prion diseases- Discusses the effects of copper on biochemical properties, prion proteins of brain cells and new techniques for their study- Stems from the proceedings of the international workshop at Christ’s College, Cambridge University in 2001