Recent research conducted at Washington University indicates that chronic sinusitis may lead to negative changes in brain activity. The lead author of the study, Dr. Arya Jaffrey, noted that chronic sinusitis is very common, affecting about 11% of Americans. The study authors explained that it involves swelling or inflammation of the sinus tissue due to infection or allergic reaction, which over time thickens the inflamed tissues, making them resemble hardened skin.
The research team conducted brain scans and mental health assessments on more than 1,200 adults aged between 22 and 35. The researchers focused on 22 patients with moderate to severe sinusitis and 22 without any issues. Initially, the team did not observe significant differences in the patients' success on cognitive tests compared to those without sinusitis.
However, upon further analysis of the brain scans of the patients, the researchers discovered that a key functional hub, the anterior-parietal network, was disrupted in sinusitis patients. According to the researchers, the affected area significantly overlaps with brain regions impacted by mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia, which are common among individuals with sinusitis, according to UPI.
