Mysterious brain disease strikes hundreds of young people in Canada

In the Canadian province of New Brunswick, people suffering from a brain disorder that has been described as “mysterious”. Medical authorities have expressed concern about potential mortality from the condition, which is most common in young adults.

In 2015, in a small group of patients neurological symptoms such as hallucinations, muscle atrophy, vision problems, memory loss, and abnormal movements. The number of cases eventually increased to 48 until 2021, when the Daily Mail reported nine deaths linked to the mysterious disease.

Currently, health experts and local residents indicate that the number of people with the disease is much higher and could exceed 200 cases. “Over the past year, I have followed 147 cases ranging in age from 17 to 80 years old. Of these, 57 are early-onset cases and 41 are young-onset cases,” neurologist Alier Marrero wrote to New Brunswick’s medical director and head of federal health.

Pesticide Warning

A 2021 investigation cited environmental toxins as the cause, but it was abruptly closed. The New Brunswick State Public Health Agency stated in its 2022 final report that “there was no evidence of a cluster neurological syndrome of unknown etiology”, according to the Canadaland podcast.

However, Dr. Marrero and the patient advocates did not give up. many suspect the use of pesticides in the province. They specifically target glyphosate and household herbicides that are used in agriculture and forestry.

The neurologist warned against recent lab tests showing “clear signs of exposure” to glyphosate, as well as other compounds found in herbicides, he said. The keeper.

Another proof is that in the province unusual blue-green algae blooms in the water, which may be due to the presence of glyphosate. The phosphorus present stimulates the growth of this type of cyanobacteria, which can cause disease in humans and kill animals.

For this reason, a group of patients from New Brunswick and their families called on the federal and provincial governments to conduct appropriate investigations. They wonder if industry pressure could be behind the political decision to close the case.

Stacey Cormier’s stepdaughter, one of the lawyers, he had to drop out of college and take up skating when he got sick. At 20, Gabriel Cormier suffers from memory loss, vision problems and an inability to stand for more than a few minutes.

The expat figure skater visited the rink for the last time in 2021, pointing out that “the reason we went back to the rink was because I was afraid to die and wanted to be on the ice one last time,” she said. STV news.