So far the illness has affected at least 47 people and been fatal for six of these, with all cases coming from Acadian Peninsula in northeast New Brunswick, Canada.
Symptoms have been shown to vary in patients but do include hallucinations, muscle deterioration, spasms, teeth chattering as well as rapidly progressing dementia.
Around a third of those with the disease have been known to suffer from memory loss and dizziness, with another four patients falling into a fatal coma.
Capgras delusion has also been reported in a few cases, which is the irrational fear that friends and family members have been replaced by imposters.
The majority of patients have said their symptoms started around 2018 with most cases being officially reported in early 2020. However one person recalls first noticing a change as early as 2013.
Although clinicians initially thought these patients were suffering from CJD, when they were tested for the condition results came back negative.
CJD is sometimes linked to eating contaminated meat infected with mad cow disease, which is one similar theory for where this new condition has come from.
Some researchers are looking at the idea that it has come from toxins which can be found in local fish, but so far this is just speculation.
A spokesman from the New Brunswick Health Department, Bruce Macfarlane, said: “At this time, the investigation is active and ongoing to determine if there are similarities among the reported cases that can identify potential causes for this syndrome, and to help identify possible strategies for prevention.
“The investigation team is exploring all potential causes including food, environmental and animal exposures.”
“However, it is unknown at this stage of our investigation whether geographic area is linked to the neurological condition and related symptoms.”
In reaction to this The Horizon Health Network has announced the opening of a new Special Neurodegenerative Disorder Clinic at The Moncton Hospital to investigate the condition.
Up to 20 patients per week will be examined at the clinic, with a new website to give more information on the mystery disease also set to launch.
It is unclear how scientists will go about investigating the disease, but one solution could come from AI. As NR Times reported on recently, machine learning has shown huge potential for diagnosing, monitoring and developing treatments for new brain conditions.
People in New Brunswick are being advised not to panic about this disease, saying anyone who experiences similar symptoms should see a doctor immediately.
