Khaberni - A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland showed that severe infections, particularly urinary and bladder infections, are linked with an increased risk of developing dementia later on, irrespective of other accompanying chronic diseases.
The study, published in the journal "PLOS Medicine", found that severe infection increases the risk of dementia by 19%, highlighting the importance of preventing these infections as a way to reduce long-term health risks.
According to the researchers, this link may be explained by the role of inflammation resulting from the infection in overactivation of the immune system, which can cause brain damage over time.
The findings indicated that the time period between the infection and the diagnosis of dementia ranges from five to six years, suggesting that the infection may accelerate the progression of dementia in its early stages, rather than being a direct cause of its onset.
The study also highlighted non-communicable diseases associated with dementia, including disorders related to alcohol, Parkinson's disease, and brain diseases, enhancing scientists' understanding of the mechanisms of dementia's development and how preventive intervention might be applied.
Although the study did not prove a direct causal relationship, the researchers emphasized that their findings support the idea that severe infection may increase the risk of developing dementia, stressing the need for more interventional studies to determine the effectiveness of prevention or early treatment to reduce this risk.
