Abstract
Recent attention to the effects of latent infection on human brain and behavior has focused on the parasite Toxoplasma, which directly infects the brain, and herpesviruses, which infect diverse cells and also promote proinflammatory immunosenescence, which in turn could affect the brain. The present investigation tested prospective effects of baseline Toxoplasmaand cytomegalovirus (CMV) latent infection among 147 older adults (age 60–93 at baseline). Participants were administered a measure of self-regulation (BRIEF) and a battery of executive function tests semiannually up to 9 times. Multi-level models with administrations at Level 1 and people at Level 2 included baseline age, education, and administrations as covariates. CMV + status (79%) and CMV titers were associated with poorer self-regulation over the 4-year follow-up (status: t(637) = 2.58, p = .01; titers: t(284) = 2.75, p = .006). Log CMV titers also weakly predicted executive function (t(210) = 1.80, p = .07). Toxoplasma + status (23%) and log titers associated with poorer self-regulation, but only among women (status: t(137) = 2.07, p = .04; titers: t(139) = 2.00, p = .05). The proinflammatory immunosenescence associated with CMV may have implications for control over behavior and cognition with aging. Sex differences in the effects of direct infection of the brain by Toxoplasmasupport theories that posit non–hormonal mechanisms of latent infection such as interference with folate uptake.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.