Study finds common microbes could cause mental decline

Blood tests with increased antibody levels
were associated with mental decline.

 Thursday, February 13, 2014

Exposure to several types of common infections could be associated with memory problems, a new study suggests. The authors caution, however, that further research is needed to draw concrete conclusions.

Scientists from the University of Miami and Columbia University in New York City were scheduled to present their research Thursday at an American Stroke Association meeting in San Diego.

"We are worried about memory decline," said lead author Dr. Clinton Wright, scientific director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Miami. "The findings suggest maybe there is an association with memory decline and exposure to some bacteria and viruses, but we haven't proven it in this study."

For the study, the researchers conducted brain function tests on 588 older participants to assess memory and thinking ability. The investigators also looked for evidence of exposure to the bacteria C. pneumoniae and H. pylori, as well as to cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.

Read the source:http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/surprising-reason-memory-fades/?xid=aol_eh-senior_3_20140210_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl15%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D442891