Decrements in vigilance and cognitive functioning associated with ragweed-induced allergic rhinitis

The adverse effects of untreated seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) on performance in the workplace, school, and home are poorly understood. To delineate more clearly the impact and consequences of the disease on performance, the effect of symptomatic AR on vigilance and a wide range of cognitive functions was investigated.

A battery of automated neuropsychological tests was administered to asymptomatic adult subjects with histories of AR. Subjects were randomized to either a symptomatic or to an asymptomatic group. Subjects in the symptomatic group were exposed to ragweed pollen in a controlled exposure setting until they demonstrated predetermined severities of AR symptoms. Subjects in the asymptomatic group were not exposed to ragweed pollen in the environmental unit and retained a minimum symptom profile. The battery of cognitive measures was re-administered to both groups.

AR had major adverse impacts on measures of vigilance. Further, AR adversely affected a broad range of cognitive functions. Specifically, subjects with AR symptoms demonstrated longer response times and decreased efficiency on measures of working memory, psychomotor speed, reasoning/computation, and divided attention as compared with asymptomatic subjects.

In addition to decreased vigilance, AR was associated with decrements in speed and efficiency across several cognitive domains. This is similar to findings in research on medications and medical conditions that cause sedation. Findings may represent a link between AR and poor productivity/personal safety among AR sufferers. This suggests that these results have implications with regard to public health.