Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. mentioned he suffered reminiscence loss and extreme mind fog greater than a decade in the past, doubtlessly associated to a parasite in his mind, according to the New York Occasions.
In a 2012 deposition reviewed by the Occasions, Kennedy mentioned a worm “obtained into my mind and ate a portion of it after which died.” He mentioned the cognitive points later resolved. Across the identical time, the Occasions reviews, Kennedy was additionally identified with mercury poisoning, which may additionally end in cognitive points.
Although they sound like one thing straight out of a horror film, parasites can and do have an effect on the human mind. Here is what to know.
How do parasites get into the mind?
In response to the Occasions‘ reporting, Kennedy mentioned he didn’t know which kind of parasite affected him, however consultants instructed the Occasions it possible got here from the larvae of a tapeworm typically present in pork. Individuals can ingest a tapeworm’s eggs by consuming contaminated meals or water, ensuing within the parasitic an infection cysticercosis—which is named neurocysticercosis when it impacts the mind.
Most frequently, folks contract neurocysticercosis in a roundabout way from consuming pork, however by means of publicity to fecal contamination, says Scott Gardner, curator of the Manter Laboratory of Parasitology on the College of Nebraska-Lincoln. If somebody eats undercooked pork carrying a tapeworm, they might later move the worm’s eggs by means of their feces. If the affected particular person doesn’t correctly wash their fingers after utilizing the toilet, they might unfold the worm’s tiny eggs to family surfaces or to meals and water, doubtlessly main folks to ingest them and get sick, in keeping with the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). When the eggs hatch and larvae get into tissues just like the mind, they kind cysts there.
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Neurocysticercosis is uncommon within the U.S., however it’s extra widespread in elements of Asia and Latin America, says Gardner. As of 2017, the U.S. Nationwide Institute of Allergy and Infectious Ailments estimated that solely about 1,500 circumstances had been identified within the U.S. annually. A 2012 study estimated its mortality charge to be round 0.06 deaths per 1 million folks within the U.S.
Toxoplasma gondii is one other much more widespread parasite that may have an effect on the human mind, ensuing within the an infection toxoplasmosis. It may be unfold by way of publicity to feline feces, in addition to consuming undercooked meat or shellfish or ingesting contaminated water, the CDC says. The CDC estimates that as much as 40 million folks within the U.S. carry the parasite, although many don’t realize it.
How harmful are mind parasites?
Surprisingly, mind parasites don’t at all times trigger critical points, says Tajie Harris, an affiliate professor of neuroscience on the College of Virginia College of Medication who has studied mind parasites. “We purchase quite a lot of infections that we by no means actually discover or attribute to those viruses or parasites that do find yourself in our brains for the long-term,” she says. “Most of them go into this dormant state and trigger us no issues in our lifetime.”
Harris’ research, for instance, has proven that the mind launches such an efficient immune response in opposition to T.gondii that many individuals by no means develop toxoplasmosis signs. When folks do expertise signs, which will be handled with antiparasitic drugs together with antibiotics, they might develop flu-like muscle aches and swollen glands. Extreme toxoplasmosis, which is most typical amongst infants and people who find themselves significantly immunocompromised, can lead to harm to the mind, eyes, and different organs. Some research have additionally linked the infection to mental-health issues, though Harris says that science is much less settled.
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Neurocysticercosis can even stay dormant for a while. Individuals don’t sometimes develop signs till cysts brought on by the parasite die, which may take months and even years, the CDC says. Signs can embody complications, seizures, confusion, and issue focusing and balancing. In critical circumstances, the situation can result in extra fluid across the mind, which can be deadly. Usually, neurocysticercosis will be handled with antiparasitic medication, typically utilized in mixture with anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical procedure.
Dr. Michael Schulder, professor and vice chair of neurosurgery at Northwell Well being in New York, says the signs Kennedy apparently suffered, together with reminiscence loss and mind fog, should not typical for neurocysticercosis and would possible be related to a “significantly massive cyst that put strain on the mind.”
The parasite additionally doesn’t eat the mind, he clarifies. If it did, the sufferer would have everlasting harm. “It is probably not gross harm that may stop you from main an impartial life,” Schulder says, “however it will actually stop you from performing at 100%.”
How can I stop mind parasites?
Good hygiene and meals preparation practices are essential. Well being authorities emphasize the significance of completely washing your fingers after utilizing the toilet, altering a toddler’s diaper, or dealing with a cat’s litter field. And ensure to scrub contemporary produce and cook dinner meat to a secure temperature, which for pork is at the least 145°F.
However, Schulder says, the typical particular person should not spend a lot time worrying about parasitic mind infections—significantly not uncommon ones like neurocysticercosis. “In a society the place public well being and public hygiene measures are sometimes taken, and we have now a Meals and Drug Administration that oversees manufacturing of meals and the way it’s made obtainable to the general public,” he says, brain-invading parasites should not be a serious concern.
