We want clinicians to refer patients to us at an early stage, even when the diagnosis may be unclear

Professor John Collinge

Incubation period

Following infection, there is a very long incubation period before symptoms of the disease occur.

According to the latest figures from the Department of Health, 102 cases of vCJD have been recorded to date in humans in the UK.

But it remains unclear how many other people have been exposed to BSE and what proportion of these will eventually develop the human form of the disease.

BSE was first spotted in cattle in the 1980's

Prof Collinge said: "Prion diseases cause degeneration of the nervous system and the symptoms often resemble other more common disorders, for instance, Alzheimer's disease or Huntingdon's chorea.

"We want clinicians to refer patients to us at an early stage, even when the diagnosis may be unclear.

"It is possible that there are many thousands of people infected by CJD prions."

However, Professor Collinge predicted that a cure for vCJD may be on the horizon. He is working on a possible drug with pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline.

"We think it's possible, although one can't make any promises, that in the next five years we may be able to produce something that blocks prion replication and provides a treatment for this disease."

Hi-tech facilities

The new clinic, funded by the Department of Health, is expected to open its doors to patients this year.

It will provide support and medical care for patients with suspected or confirmed prion diseases as well as advice to families, carers and health professionals.

The clinic will operate closely with the Medical Research Council's Prion Unit, headed by Professor Collinge, which is investigating vCJD and possible tests to diagnose the disease in its early stages.

A range of hi-tech diagnostic facilities will be available at the clinic, including molecular genetic analysis and brain imaging.

In addition, the unit will respond to inquiries from the public and provide information about prion diseases.