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Colds and Flu May Hasten Mental Decline

Infection with common viruses such as influenza or rhinoviruses that cause colds may be associated with more rapid memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. A study of people who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease found that those who had respiratory infections had higher levels of inflammation, as measured by a specific protein in the blood called TNF-alpha. They also suffered cognitive decline at nearly twice the rate as people without infections.
Even injuries from falls were linked to higher levels of TNF-alpha, and that in turn to more rapid memory loss. People with low levels of TNF-alpha had no decline in mental function. Keeping the immune system healthy and lowering inflammation may be a way to benefit the brain as well as the heart and the rest of the body.

[Neurology, Sept. 8, 2009]

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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