Since 1996 WHN is the second oldest medical website on the net, second only to the American Medical Association, servicing over 35,000 physicians and scientists worldwide.

Non-Profit Trusted Source of Non-Commercial Health Information

Common Infections May Raise Risks of Cognitive Decline

Common Infections May Raise Risks of Cognitive Decline

by
Post Views: 5

Even if it didn’t trigger symptoms, exposure to common infections may prompt declines in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.

Previously, a number of studies link certain infections to an increased risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Clinton Wright, from the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Miami (Florida, USA), and  colleagues report that past exposures to infectious agents such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 may adversely affect performance on tests of memory, speed of mental processing, abstract thinking, planning and reasoning ability. The study authors speculate that exposure to these infections may be associated as well with an increase in stroke risk, as well as an increase in atherosclerosis and inflammation.

Wright C., et al.  Abstract # 107. Presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2014; Feb. 13, 2014.