Frequent Common Colds Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia, Study Finds

Frequent colds and flu may impact brain aging, accelerate cognitive decline, and could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study conducted on aging male mice by Tulane University in partnership with West Virginia University and the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health. The study found that repeated, intermittent experiences with moderate inflammation, such as that caused by the flu or a seasonal head cold, caused impaired cognition and disrupted communication between neurons in those mice. The findings may have important implications for standard of care around how infections are handled among the elderly and those at risk for dementia.