Mysterious Neurological Illness in New Brunswick Sparks Calls for Independent Investigation
Experts Demand Transparency Amid Rising Cases and Public Concerns
Reports of an unidentified neurological illness in New Brunswick have reignited calls for an independent investigation. First reported in 2021, the condition remains a mystery, with cases escalating to 371 confirmed patients, 116 suspected cases, and 44 deaths, according to neurologist Dr. Alier Marrero. Patients are experiencing debilitating symptoms such as muscle atrophy, hallucinations, depression, and sleep disorders.
Dr. Michael Strong, a clinical neurologist and former president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), has called for a transparent, arm’s-length commission to cut through the growing distrust between patients and provincial health officials.
“Nobody is going to be happy with a governmental board,” said Dr. Strong, emphasizing the need for an independent process to restore credibility.
New Brunswick’s first investigation, conducted in 2022, dismissed claims of a shared illness, finding no evidence of a new syndrome. However, critics—including patients, federal scientists, and public-health advocates—have raised concerns about the investigation’s methodology and potential political bias.
Dr. Strong, who reviewed the initial findings, acknowledged they were thorough but added, “If I didn’t think there was a potential of a kernel of something deep down in there, I would be saying, ‘Walk away from this.’ … But I’m not there yet.”
Dr. Marrero, who reported the majority of the cases, has identified potential environmental causes, such as exposure to the herbicide glyphosate or cyanobacteria from blue-green algae. His findings, however, have been met with scrutiny, with the 2022 provincial report questioning potential bias due to his extensive involvement.
Despite this, Dr. Marrero insists, “They should at least be hearing what I have to say, and I think my patients would also expect me to be there.”
The issue has also become increasingly politicized, with New Brunswick’s new Liberal premier, Susan Holt, promising a new investigation during her election campaign. This investigation, now being conducted with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), aims to bring clarity, but concerns remain about its impartiality.
“You can do it right or you can do it fast,” warned Dr. Strong, suggesting that a thorough independent inquiry could take up to two years.
Adding to the complexity, New Brunswick declined $5 million in CIHR emergency research funding in 2021, a decision criticized by some federal experts. Dr. Michael Coulthart, head of PHAC’s Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance System, has supported the need for further study.
“My strongest hypothesis is that there is some environmental exposure—or perhaps a combination of exposures—that is triggering and/or accelerating a variety of neurodegenerative syndromes,” he wrote in a 2023 email.
Dr. Strong emphasized that resolving the mystery will require rigorous scientific investigation involving epidemiologists, anthropologists, and population experts.
“This is not for the faint of heart. If you’re going to do this, somebody’s giving up a chunk of their life to do it,” he stated.
Meanwhile, tensions between Dr. Marrero and New Brunswick’s acting chief medical officer, Dr. Yves Léger, have arisen over new reporting requirements. So far, Dr. Marrero has completed forms for only 39 patients, a small fraction of the total cases he has documented. Health Minister John Dornan has assured that the forms will be revised to streamline the process.
As patients and their families seek answers, there is mounting pressure to avoid past missteps. Green Party MLA Megan Mitton, after meeting with affected individuals, stressed the need for transparency: “We need to see this go differently.”
The situation underscores the unacceptable reality of politicizing the suffering of patients, making it imperative to prioritize scientific rigor and transparency over political agendas.
Source: Globe and Mail
Additional reading:
Could a neurotoxin researched on Guam hold clues to New Brunswick’s mystery brain condition?
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