Study finds no evidence to support ‘mystery brain disease’ in New Brunswick [Video]

There is no evidence to support claims of a mystery brain disease in New Brunswick, says a new study that suggests the media may have played a role in feeding patients’ fears.

Published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Neurology, the study reviewed the cases of 25 patients evaluated at two hospitals in New Brunswick and Ontario and found their symptoms could be traced back to several known neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative conditions.

“Unfounded concerns that a potentially fatal mystery disease, possibly induced by an environmental toxin, is causing the patients’ neurological symptoms has been amplified in traditional and social media,” the study said.

Nearly 400 New Brunswick residents — mostly in the Acadian Peninsula and Moncton areas — have reported symptoms of what the province’s Health Department has called a “neurological syndrome of unknown cause.” Their symptoms included memory problems, balance issues, behavioural changes, muscle spasms and bursts of intense pain.

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