Grypa i infekcje grypopochodne a funkcje poznawcze

Influenza is a seasonal viral disease. Every year 5-25%of the world’s population suffers from influenza and upto 1 mln people die. In Poland several thousand toseveral million cases and suspected cases of influenza areregistered every epidemic season. According to WHO,respiratory viruses are pathogens that infect people mostfrequently. Epidemiological studies have indicated a linkbetween influenza type A infection (subtype H3N2 andH1N1), type B infection and cognitive functionsimpairment (mainly declarative memory, attention,visual-movement coordination), neurodegenerativediseases, neurological symptoms and certain psychiatricdiseases (e.g. schizophrenia). Both acute and chronicsystemic inflammation are characterized by the systemicproduction of the proinflammatory cytokines in thebrain: tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1(IL-1), IL-2 and IL-6. Higher peripheral levels ofinflammation are associated with activation of centralinflammatory mechanisms that result in hippocampalneurodegeneration. The aim of the study is to describepresent research about impact of influenza infection oncognitive functions. The authors are aware of the lackof empirical data confirming connections betweeninflammation and cognitive functions but they wouldlike to try present this approach.