Mad Char disease

With the recent discovery of a case of Mad Cow disease in Canada, I was wondering if somehow I got infected with it, by virtue of being Canadian. I know I have not eaten meat in almost 4 years now but I cannot help but feel that my brain is turning into mush. The longer I stay in Japan the more I feel like I am losing my mind. I try and try but it seems like I cannot get a handle on this language. Grammar points and vocabulary that I thought I had learnt, disappear when I go to retrieve it from my brain. Definately full of mush now. Aiya!!!