- Epidemiological studies and provision of advice and information to physicians, hospitals, and public health institutions on epidemiological aspects and characteristics
- Maintaining a reference database for human spongiform encephalopathies, including registration of potential risk factors
- Epidemiological evaluation and interpretation of the collected data in coordination with the Robert-Koch Institut; initiation of and participation in surveillance projects
- Provision of training and continuing education on human spongiform encephalopathies
- Development of diagnostic tests
- Coordination of the standardization and distribution of universal tests
- Initiation and execution on national and international laboratory ring tests
- Typing of the agent by performing, for example, molecular biological analyses for identification of epidemiological characteristics
- Maintaining a collection of specimens and distribution of reference samples or reference preparations for diagnostic and scientific
- Provision of advice to diagnostic laboratories
- Epidemiological studies and evaluation of the evolution of resistance and virulence
- Notification of suspected cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) to the competent public health authorities
- CSF analysis in suspected cases of CJD and other dementia
- Examination of patients with suspected CJD by a study physician in the hospitals reporting the cases, including assistance with the evaluation of medical examination results and follow-up findings
- Provision of advice on diagnosis, therapy, and hygienic aspects of human spongiform encephalopathies in Germany
- Provision of consultation on the evaluation of EEGs and MRI scans
- Differential diagnosis of atypical dementias
- Up-to-date information on the most recent developments for coorperating hospitals
