Dolphins in Florida Show Brain Damage Linked to Toxic Algae, Raising Alzheimer’s Concerns for Humans
Florida – A recent study has revealed alarming neurological damage in dolphins stranded along the Florida coast, mirroring the brain lesions characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers link the damage to exposure to brevetoxins, neurotoxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs) increasingly prevalent due to climate change and nutrient pollution. The findings, published October 12, 2025, by Enviro2B, suggest a potential pathway for human neurodegenerative disease and raise urgent questions about environmental health risks.
The study focused on dolphins found stranded in Florida between 2019 and 2023. pathological analysis revealed the presence of Diatom-Associated Amino Acids (DABA), a byproduct of brevetoxin exposure, accumulating in the dolphins’ brains.This accumulation correlated with notable brain lesions, specifically in areas associated with memory, learning, and social behavior – the same regions affected in Alzheimer’s patients. “Their brain resembles that of patients with Alzheimer’s,” researchers stated. Moreover, half of the stranded dolphins exhibited severe to profound hearing loss, a condition also linked to Alzheimer’s risk in humans.
Brevetoxins, produced by the Karenia brevis algae, are naturally occurring but blooms are intensifying in frequency and duration due to warmer waters and increased nutrient runoff from land. These blooms release toxins into the air and water, impacting marine life and posing risks to human health through seafood consumption and respiratory irritation. The study identified hearing-related gene transcripts correlating with DABA exposure and bloom seasons, strengthening the link between algal toxins and neurological impact.
Scientists emphasize the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of DABA exposure on both marine mammals and humans. The findings underscore the potential for environmental toxins to contribute to the growing global burden of neurodegenerative diseases, and highlight the vulnerability of coastal populations to these emerging threats.The situation in Florida serves as a stark warning of the potential consequences of unchecked algal blooms and the urgent need for mitigation strategies.
