No Longer Accepting Claims
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Facts
TorHoerman Law is no longer accepting claims for the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit.
Intake Closed
The contamination of drinking water sources at Camp Lejeune has resulted in numerous health complications for Camp Lejeune veterans, civilians, and family members living or working at the base.
The toxic substances that infiltrated the water supply have been linked to various illnesses, including cancers, birth defects, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
The 2009 National Research Council (NRC) report titled “Review of VA Clinical Guidance for the Health Conditions Identified by the Camp Lejeune Legislation” contained a section on the characterization of neurobehavioral effects suffered by Camp Lejeune victims.
Alzheimer’s Disease did not fall under the National Research Council’s classification of neurobehavioral effects related to Camp Lejeune water contamination.
However, several scientific studies link exposure to toxic substances like TCE and PCE to the onset of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease:
- Journal of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The disease intersection of susceptibility and exposure: Chemical exposures and neurodegenerative disease risk
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Environmental Substances Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease—A Scoping Review
- American Journal of Epidemiology: Solvent exposure as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease: a case-control study
- Annals of Translational Medicine: Changes in cognitive function and related brain regions in chronic benzene poisoning: a case report
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly impairs memory, thinking, and behavior.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
While age is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s, environmental factors can also play a role in the development of the disease.
Most people affected by this disease experience symptoms of Alzheimer’s between the ages of 65 and 75, but rare cases have been reported in people as young as 30.
The medical condition was named after German pathologist Alois Alzheimer.
The doctor observed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who died from an uncommon mental illness.
The patient suffered language problems, memory loss, and unpredictable behavior.
Upon her death, the doctor studied her brain and found multiple amyloid plaques or abnormal clumps in the brain.
He also discovered neurofibrillary tangles, also called tau tangles, which are tangled bundles of fibers inside brain cells.
These features are now primary markers of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Causes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown even after many studies.
However, scientists believe that a combination of several factors can contribute to its development.
Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Age: The risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age, with cases most common in people over 65 years old.
- Sex: Women are more vulnerable to the disease than men.
- Family History: People with a parent or sibling with the condition are more likely to develop it.
- Head Trauma: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
- Lifestyle: Smoking, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, and obesity can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain environmental toxins can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Some toxic chemicals found in the water are known neurotoxins, which are chemicals that could contribute to the onset of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Disease Complications
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that gradually worsens over time.
As the disease progresses, patients experience more severe cognitive decline.
The most common complications of Alzheimer’s include:
- Memory Loss: The patient progressively loses the ability to store and recall memories.
- Language Problems: Patients can have difficulty recognizing words, speaking, and understanding conversations.
- Impairment of Judgment: People with Alzheimer’s disease may experience difficulty making decisions or recognizing potential risks.
- Confusion: Patients can become easily confused about time and location.
- Behavioral Changes: People with the condition may become irritable or suspicious of loved ones and caregivers.
- Loss of Mobility: As the disease progresses, patients can lose their ability to move independently.
Alzheimer’s disease is a terminal condition that can severely diminish the quality of life.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease at this time.
