简介：AbstractPrions are unconventional infectious agents that cause lethal transmissible neurodegenerative diseases in human and animals. Prions can be distinguished from other known pathogens by their lack of nucleic acids. The most essential process for prion propagation is conversion from normal cellular prion protein on the cell membrane to insoluble, limited protease digestion-resistant, pathogenic scrapie prion protein. For dozens of years, many pharmacological tools and interventions targeting different stages of disease progression have been developed and evaluated, and a few have been entered clinical trials. However, no approved prophylactic or therapeutic drugs for prion diseases are available. In this review, we summarize the current concepts in prion research and discuss advances in the research and development of drugs for the prevention and treatment of prion disease.