As if colds didn't already suck enough

Cold Virus Might Harm Long-Term Memory

Nervous system infection by a family of pathogens may 'chip away' at cognition, researchers say

THURSDAY, Oct. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Infection of the central nervous system by the common cold and other viruses may lead to memory loss late in life, Mayo Clinic researchers report.

"Our study suggests that virus-induced memory loss could accumulate over the lifetime of an individual and eventually lead to clinical cognitive memory deficits," neuroscientist Charles L. Howe, corresponding study author, said in a prepared statement.

In studies with mice, his team found that a nervous system infection linked to a pathogen called picornavirus could have a permanent effect on memory. The findings are published in the November issue of the journal Neurobiology of Disease.

Picornaviruses are a family of common viruses that include rhinoviruses associated with the common cold; enteroviruses, linked to respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments; encephalitis inflammation of the brain; myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle); and meningitis.

"We think picornavirus family members cross into the brain and cause a variety of brain injuries," Howe said.