Cases of an unexplained disorder causing dementia-like symptoms are on the rise in one Canadian province, leading many to worry there may be an environmental cause.
Dubbed New Brunswick neurological syndrome of unknown etiology, after the province in which it is located, the disorder is characterized by “atypical, rapidly progressive dementia,” according to a government study.
Early cases were diagnosed as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which the Mayo Clinic explains is similar to Alzheimer’s but progresses more quickly and leads to death.
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However, according to the family of Laurie Beatty, who died in 2018 New York Times, his test results for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease came back negative.
Beatty’s neurologist, Dr. Alier Marrero, told the paper that he has seen an increase in patients with cognitive decline, saying their symptoms were first behavioral before turning into muscle spasms, joint pain and hallucinations that he says are “like a nightmare.”
However, the official investigation “did not identify any specific behaviors, foods, or environmental exposures that could be identified as potential risk factors,” and instead of one specific disease, all of the patients examined were dealing with known illnesses such as schizophrenia or progressive supranuclear palsy.
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Marrero said The New York Times that it now treats more than 430 patients with undiagnosed cognitive decline and that 111 of these patients are under the age of 45. At the time of writing, 39 have died.
He also explained to the outlet that when his patients’ blood was tested for the presence of glyphosate — a weed-killing chemical that is also widespread in the United States — 90% had elevated levels.
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Stock image Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada.
Marc Guitard/Getty
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“I’m not concluding that’s the cause of what’s going on,” Marrero said NYT. “But it’s something that tells me there’s something wrong with the environment they’re living in.”
He also emphasized that he received referrals from other areas in Canada.
“This is a collaborative effort that is needed,” he told the publication. “Not just for the people here in New Brunswick, but because whatever is causing this may be happening somewhere else.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education