Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis
Published on: December 20, 2024
Effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis on selected cognitive abilities
P S Marshall1, C O'Hara, P Steinberg
1Department of Psychiatry, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415, USA.
Background:
Many allergy patients complain of slowed thinking, memory problems, and difficulty sustaining attention during their allergy seasons.
Objective:
This study evaluated the effect of symptomatic allergic rhinitis on speed of cognitive processing, ability to divide and sustain attention, working memory, and recent verbal memory.
Methods:
Symptomatic ragweed-allergic rhinitis patients and nonatopic control subjects did cognitive testing in, out of, and in ragweed seasons.
Results:
Test results indicate that, during ragweed seasons, allergic patients experience subtle slowed speed of cognitive processing but not deficits in attention and recent memory. Some patients also have difficulties in working memory.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that having allergic reactions to ragweed pollen causes significant cognitive difficulties in a subgroup of patients.
Related Concept Videos
Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma-I: Introduction
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Allergic Reactions
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Information Processing Approach
