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Published on: April 23, 2021
Association of common infections with cognitive performance in the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area study
Alexandra M Wennberg1, Brion S Maher2, Jill A Rabinowitz2
1Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Introduction:
Growing evidence suggests that some common infections are causally associated with cognitive impairment; however, less is known about the burden of multiple infections.
Methods:
We investigated the cross-sectional association of positive antibody tests for herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Toxoplasma gondii (TOX) with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and delayed verbal recall performance in 575 adults aged 41-97 from the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study.
Results:
In multivariable-adjusted zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression models, positive antibody tests for CMV (p = .011) and herpes simplex virus (p = .018) were individually associated with poorer MMSE performance (p = .011). A greater number of positive antibody tests among the five tested was associated with worse MMSE performance (p = .001).
Discussion:
CMV, herpes simplex virus, and the global burden of multiple common infections were independently associated with poorer cognitive performance. Additional research that investigates whether the global burden of infection predicts cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease biomarker changes is needed to confirm these findings.
Insights
Multiple common infections, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus, are linked to poorer cognitive performance. A higher number of infections correlates with worse cognitive function in adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Emerging evidence links common infections to cognitive impairment.
- The impact of multiple infections on cognitive health remains understudied.
- Cognitive function is crucial for daily living and long-term brain health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between common viral infections and cognitive performance.
- To examine the role of multiple infections in cognitive impairment.
- To assess the relationship between specific pathogens and cognitive test scores.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 575 adults aged 41-97.
- Assessed antibodies for herpes simplex virus, CMV, EBV, VZV, and Toxoplasma gondii.
- Used Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and delayed verbal recall for cognitive assessment.
- Employed multivariable-adjusted zero-inflated Poisson regression models.
Main Results:
- Positive antibody tests for cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus were individually associated with poorer MMSE scores.
- A higher cumulative number of positive antibody tests correlated with significantly worse MMSE performance.
- The findings highlight the impact of individual and multiple infections on cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- CMV, herpes simplex virus, and the overall burden of multiple infections are independently linked to reduced cognitive performance.
- Further research is needed to explore if infection burden predicts cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering infectious agents in the context of cognitive health.
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