A mysterious neurological disease in Canada is raising questions. According to reports in the New York Times, over 400 people in New Brunswick are now suffering from mysterious neurological disorders: memory loss that appears out of nowhere, hallucinations, muscle cramps, drastic weight loss, paralysis, and visual and speech disorders.
The first case occurred in 2013 – 48 other patients reported similarly alarming symptoms in 2018 and 2019. Then the number of cases continued to rise. Many of those affected are young and were previously considered completely healthy. Suddenly they can no longer hold conversations and run into doors. Neurologists have been speculating about possible environmental factors for years. Relatives of the victims accuse the authorities of a cover-up.
90 percent of patients with extremely high pesticide levels
The New York Times quotes neurologist Alier Marrero, who estimates the total number of patients to be over 430. 111 of them are under 45 years old. 39 have already died. The doctor describes the province of New Brunswick as a global hotspot for dementia in young people. Now Marrero’s new laboratory analyses show that 90 percent of his patients had, in some cases, extremely high levels of pesticides in their blood.
Initially, scientists suspected the brain disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob – but all test results were negative. Patients waited desperately for the authorities’ investigation report. In 2022, the report finally read: There is no mysterious neurological disease. Suddenly there was talk of “alternative diagnoses”. The symptoms could indicate previous concussions, it was said, perhaps also schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, cancer or Parkinson’s. The authorities also assured that environmental influences could be ruled out.
Authorities have discontinued investigations
At the beginning of their investigation, government representatives met with independent experts for months. Among other things, suspicions arose of the neurotoxin BMAA, which can occur in shellfish such as lobsters. Lobster fishing and tourism are the main industries in the picturesque province on the Atlantic.
Shortly after the suspicions were raised, the meetings were unexpectedly put on hold. The government distanced itself from Marrero, who was part of the investigative committee. Instead of a definite nervous disorder, there was only talk of a “possible illness” – and finally no illness at all. The investigations were discontinued. The mistrust and anger of the population grew – especially when it emerged that the authorities had already rejected federal funds for further investigations. Accusations of cover-ups became louder.
“We are demanding new investigations, including environmental factors,” said Stacie Quigley Cormier after the report was published on CTV. Her daughter Gabrielle, aged 20, was one of the youngest patients. The former student and enthusiastic figure skater has been in a wheelchair since 2019. She can no longer follow conversations. Among other things, they wanted to diagnose Gabrielle with schizophrenia.
New diseases occur more frequently at certain times of the year
But her doctor Marrero did not give up. As he revealed to the New York Times, he had his patients tested for various pesticides in a laboratory in the neighboring province of Quebec – including glyphosate. The herbicide is used in New Brunswick’s forestry industry. The neurologist had noticed that new illnesses were becoming more frequent in late summer and early autumn – precisely when the drug is used most heavily.
The laboratory analyses showed that out of 100 patients, 90 had elevated glyphosate levels in their blood – in one case even 15,000 times more than the smallest measurable concentration. The active ingredient is controversial – but was approved at EU level for another ten years in 2023. Studies have shown that glyphosate can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and cause neurological inflammation that can trigger Alzheimer’s.
“I’m not saying that’s the case here,” Marrero told the New York Times. “But it tells me that something is wrong in the environment. No one involved here can pretend they don’t know that.”
“I don’t even know what I could do to protect my family”
Many Canadians agree with him and are now calling for new research – including environmental factors. This includes Canadian Green MP Megan Mitton. “I personally know people in my community who are affected,” she told CTV. “I think about my children and I don’t even know what I could do to protect my family. That’s exactly what makes many people in New Brunswick so afraid – we don’t have any information on how to protect ourselves.”
In response to press inquiries, the health department stated that Marrero had not reported any new cases to them in 2024. A statement continued: “So far, we have not received any similar notifications from other doctors. We would be happy to review such reports from any medical professional.”
