the polymerase chain reaction was used to screen dna samples from 12 unrelated individuals with various familial dementias and ataxias for mutation in part of the prion protein ( prp ) gene , an abnormality that occurs in individuals with the spongiform encephalopathies , gerstmann-straussler syndrome ( gss ) and creutzfeldt-jakob disease .
C0162534
spongiform encephalopathies
C0022336
creutzfeldt-jakob disease