April 1, 2019, 2:08 p.m.
We used to think only humans suffered from Alzheimer's disease, that debilitating neurological disorder that most often strikes people over the age of 65. But, it turns out, we aren't alone after all. Dolphins have now also been found dead with Alzheimer's-like plaques in their brains, strongly indicating that they likely beached themselves as a result of the disease, reports ScienceAlert.
The connection with BMAA isn't a total surprise. Previous experiments have shown that chronic BMAA dietary exposure can trigger neurodegenerative changes in both humans and non-human primates. Now we can add dolphins to that list.
While researchers aren't sure whether BMAA causes Alzheimer's-related amyloid plaques to develop in humans like it does in dolphins, we know this is a nasty substance associated with brain disease, and it's something that needs to be thoroughly investigated.
While blue-green algal blooms occur naturally, they can grow dramatically in warm water conditions. So as our oceans warm due to climate change, BMAA exposure will only increase.
"People should take simple steps to avoid cyanobacterial exposure," said co-author Paul Alan Cox.
That involves avoiding eating creatures that are at the top of the ocean food chain where BMAA can bioaccumulate. For instance, sharks have been shown to be high in BMAA, and those that consume shark fin soup or take cartilage pills are likely exposing themselves to this neurotoxin.
Dolphins are the only known wild animal to show signs of Alzheimer's.