When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suffered from memory loss and mental fogginess in 2010, doctors thought he had a brain tumor.
One doctor, however, told the independent presidential candidate it was actually a dead parasite, according to The New York Times, who reviewed a 2012 deposition by Kennedy.
The abnormality on his scans “was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died,” Kennedy said.
Now, Kennedy, at age 70, has showcased his athleticism believed to surpass his political rivals — President Biden, 81, and former President Donald J. Trump, 77.
Kennedy will be on the ballots in Utah, Michigan, Hawaii and, according to his campaign, California and Delaware. If he garners spots on ballots in more states, he could affect the election, per The Times.
While Kennedy has appeared healthy, there have been health concerns notwithstanding the parasite.
Kennedy has suffered from atrial fibrillation, a heartbeat abnormality that increases the risk of stroke or heart failure.
He has been hospitalized at least four times due to this, but has not had an episode in more than a decade. He believed the condition had disappeared.
He was also diagnosed with mercury poisoning about the same time as the parasite diagnosis.
The mercury poisoning is probably due to ingesting too much fish containing the metal. This can cause neurological issues, which Kennedy admitted to in the deposition in 2012.
“I have cognitive problems, clearly,” he said. “I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me.”
Kennedy told The Times that he has since recovered from the memory loss and fogginess. He added there were no aftereffects from the parasite, which he said did not require treatment.
A spokeswoman for Kennedy’s campaign responded to whether his health issues could affect his ability to be president.
“That is a hilarious suggestion, given the competition,” Stefanie Spear said.
Doctors have said that while parasitic infections and mercury poisoning can permanently damage the brain, patients may also recover fully, The Times reported.
