(Source-The-Guardian)
A prominent federal scientist, Michael Coulthart, claims he was barred from investigating a mysterious brain illness affecting more than 200 people in New Brunswick. Coulthart’s allegations, detailed in leaked emails obtained by the Guardian, come two years after the province concluded its investigation into a suspected “cluster” of cases. Coulthart, a microbiologist and head of Canada’s Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance System, stated in an email, “There is something real going on in [New Brunswick] that absolutely cannot be explained by the bias or personal agenda of an individual neurologist.”
New Brunswick health officials had raised alarms in 2021, noting over 40 residents displayed symptoms akin to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, including drooling and sensations of bugs crawling on their skin. In 2022, an independent oversight committee concluded these patients were likely misdiagnosed and suffering from other conditions like cancer and dementia. However, the committee’s findings and the province’s dismissal of the neurologist Dr. Alier Marrero’s work have been controversial, with Marrero continuing to advocate for the affected patients.
Disputed Findings and Ongoing Investigations on mysterious brain illness
Despite the provincial government’s conclusion that there was no “cluster” of an unknown mysterious brain illness, the leaked emails suggest the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) remains concerned. Coulthart, who led the 2021 investigation, expressed frustration in an October 2023 email, claiming he was “essentially cut off” from the issue for political reasons. He hypothesizes that an “environmental exposure — or a combination of exposures — is triggering and/or accelerating a variety of neurodegenerative syndromes,” challenging conventional diagnostic approaches.
Coulthart’s stance contrasts sharply with the province’s handling of the situation. A spokesperson for New Brunswick’s health department stated that since May 2023, they have only received 29 complete notifications from Dr. Marrero, with no similar reports from other physicians. This discrepancy has fueled criticism from patients and advocacy groups, who argue that their worsening conditions are being ignored by health authorities.
Patients’ Struggles and Pleas for Action
Patients affected by the mysterious brain illness have voiced their frustration and desperation. One young woman, who requested anonymity, described how her condition has deteriorated since the province’s final report, which dismissed the existence of a new syndrome. She reported symptoms like muscle tremors, poor coordination, and declining vision and memory. “Politicians don’t want to acknowledge there is something serious going on, because then they need to address it,” she told the Guardian. Her daily life has been severely impacted, as she relies on frozen meals and constant reminders from a smart speaker to manage basic tasks.
