Health Bulletin

Common infections may increase risk for memory decline

Exposure to common infections is linked to memory and brain function — even if the infections never made you ill, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2014.
Researchers found an index of antibody levels caused by exposure to Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 was associated with worse cognitive performance, including memory, speed of mental processing, abstract thinking, planning and reasoning ability.

Premature birth linked to asthma, wheezing in childhood

A new analysis of existing research suggests that premature babies face a higher risk of developing asthma and wheezing disorders when they are older.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School, the Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland examined 30 studies and have found that premature children (born before 37 weeks of gestation) were 46 percent more likely to develop asthma or wheezing problems than kids who were not born prematurely. Full-term birth is generally considered about 40 weeks' gestation.