Prion isomers, methods of making, methods of using, and compositions and products comprising prion isomers

Prion peptides exhibiting structural isomerism to wild-type prion peptide are disclosed. The invention further discloses methods of making prion isomers, compositions comprising prion isomers, and compositions and products comprising antibody to a prion isomer. Methods for screening a patient for a neuro-degenerative disease, and methods for treating a patient afflicted with a neuro-degenerative disease are also disclosed.