Study links childhood asthma to memory issues, higher dementia risk later in life

A new study has found that children with asthma may face greater memory challenges, potentially raising their risk of dementia in adulthood, the independent published.

Researchers from the University of California, Davis, followed 2,062 children aged 9 to 10 to examine how asthma affects memory and other cognitive abilities. A subset of 473 children was monitored over two years, revealing that those with earlier asthma onset showed slower memory development over time.

According to the Independent’s report, this study builds on previous research indicating that chronic inflammation and reduced oxygen supply due to asthma attacks may impair cognitive development.

First author Nicholas Christopher-Hayes, a PhD candidate in psychology, suggested that asthma could put children on a trajectory leading to more severe conditions like dementia later in life.

While the exact mechanism behind asthma-related memory deficits remains unclear, the study points to the possible effects of chronic inflammation and disrupted oxygen supply on the brain.

Past studies have linked asthma to a heightened risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in adults. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention to address potential cognitive challenges in children with asthma and to explore protective strategies against long-term risks.