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Nodding Syndrome in Uganda & South Sudan

Discussion in 'Other Health News and Research' started by Glynis Steele, Mar 10, 2012.

  1. Glynis Steele Senior Member

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    Newcastle upon Tyne UK
    Had to put this one up. Typical, first thought of CDC.....? Mass hysteria. Head desk!!!!


    "Initially, the CDC suspected it might be a psychogenic episode - something like mass hysteria. But brain scans quickly confirmed that they were dealing with a disease that causes measurable brain atrophy".



    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17319434
    Glynis Steele, Mar 10, 2012
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  2. Desdinova Senior Member

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    USA
    Doesn't surprise me at all psychological illness tends to be the run to diagnosis for westernized medicine. If this wasn't happening somewhere remote like Africa (central America, South America and Remote areas of Asia and the South Pacific). I doubt that they would have done much digging or listening for that matter and have simply stuck with "psychogenic episode" or mass hysteria. At least until the body count was so in there face like it was with Aids, that you couldn't ignore it anymore.
    Desdinova, Mar 11, 2012
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  3. Esther12 Senior Member

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    Wow - they suspected something like mass hysteria in 2009? From just your quote I assumed they were talking about in the 1970s, but in context it looks like they were talking about the start of the CDC's investigations in 2009. How lucky there was clear evidence of measurable brain atrophy!

    I was listening to a radio documentary about this a while back, and it sounds pretty terrible. Hopefully research will move forward more quickly now.
    Esther12, Mar 11, 2012
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  4. Little Bluestem Senescent on the Illinois prairie, USA

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    Midwest, USA
    More Psychobabble in Le Roy, NY, USA

    This time it is mass psychogenic illness. The really disgusting thing is that the principle will not allow testing for environmental toxins on the school grounds. People are afraid their property values would go down.
    Little Bluestem, Mar 11, 2012
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  5. Enid Senior Member

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    Mass hysteria in 2009 - looking more like mass hysteria in the psychobabble brigade.
    Enid, Mar 11, 2012
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  6. Mark Moderation Team Lead

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    Sofa, UK
    "Nodding Syndrome targets children exclusively"

    "Nodding Syndrome shows no indication of being transmitted from person to person"

    "like several other neurological disorders, Nodding Syndrome remains a complete mystery"

    Hmm...how could one possibly explain a novel phenomenon like this, in terms of epidemiology, I wonder? What could possibly be causing it, if it isn't transmitted from person to person? What kind of factors might affect only children? What a mystery...I'm afraid I doubt this one will be solved quickly...:(
    Mark, Mar 11, 2012
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  7. SilverbladeTE Senior Member

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    Somewhere near Glasgow, Scotland
    Kids...environmental or, hormonal then?
    toxic materials in child's food perhaps, contaminated batches of imported food for children?

    it could be a widespread disease but only kids suffer a harmful effect because at their development, differing hormones to adults may trigger some other effect, autoimmue or not enough resistance or toxic combination
    Life is complex, we don't know stuff all in reality ;)
    SilverbladeTE, Mar 11, 2012
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  8. natasa778 Senior Member

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    London UK
    Oh if it is not just mass hysteria then it must be just genetic. It has always been around in same numbers in those countries, they just didn't notice it.

    If the numbers keep rising it will mean they just got better at diagnosing.
    natasa778, Mar 12, 2012
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