Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
11:31

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting

Published on: November 30, 2015

Infectious burden and cognitive function: the Northern Manhattan Study

Mira Katan1, Yeseon Park Moon, Myunghee Cho Paik

  • 1Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. mk3270@columbia.edu

Neurology
|March 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Infectious burden (IB), a measure of past infections, was linked to poorer cognitive performance in a multiethnic cohort. This suggests infections may play a role in cognitive impairment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Vascular risk factors are associated with cognitive decline.
  • Infectious burden (IB), a serologic measure of exposure to common pathogens, is linked to vascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infectious burden (IB) and cognitive performance.
  • To determine if IB is associated with cognitive impairment in a multiethnic cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Cognition assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-m).
  • Adjusted linear, logistic regressions, and generalized estimating equation models used to analyze associations between IB and cognitive measures.

Main Results:

  • Higher IB was associated with worse cognitive performance (MMSE and TICS-m).
  • IB was associated with a higher likelihood of MMSE ≤24 (indicating cognitive impairment).
  • IB was not associated with cognitive decline over time.

Conclusions:

  • Infectious burden is independently associated with cognitive performance in a multiethnic cohort.
  • Past infections may contribute to cognitive impairment.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats07:57

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Biological Influences on Intelligence01:30

Biological Influences on Intelligence

Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter more...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes01:15

Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes

Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
Gut-Brain Axis01:22

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is: