Brain inflammation linked to memory lossRSS Feed

Chronic brain inflammation has been linked to some elements of memory decline in adults, according to new research.

A low-grade form of the brain injury, already associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, has been associated with memory loss in otherwise healthy individuals.

Scientists measures the levels of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation, in participants and asked them to recall words from a list, according to the study reported at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting.

It was found that those with a higher level of C-reactive protein could recall fewer words and also had smaller medial temporal lobes.

Joel H Kramer, of the University of California San Francisco, said: "Anti-inflammatory drugs available today could be used to treat low grade infections in the brain, and could be used more aggressively following surgery, which prompts a large inflammatory response."

Meanwhile, researchers from Georgia Health Sciences University said that optic inflammation, often a result of brain injury, needs treatments other than the high dose steroids often prescribed.

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Posted by Matthew Dixon
 

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