Ep. 225 Sinusitis and Cognitive Impairment: Exploring the Inflammatory Pathway with Dr. Aria Jafari

Chronic sinusitis might be doing more than just clogging your nose–it could be clouding your brain. In this episode of Backtable ENT, Dr. Aria Jafari, an assistant professor at the University of Washington and co-director of the Neuroendocrinology Advanced Sinus and Skull-base Surgery Fellowship, discusses the connection between sinusitis and cognitive dysfunction with hosts Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Jafari shares how his interest in this field developed and details his research on the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and brain function. The conversation highlights the comprehensive impact of sinus inflammation on overall health, emphasizing the importance of viewing CRS as a whole-body condition. They also discuss patient experiences, the methodologies used to assess cognitive dysfunction, potential treatments, and what’s next in the research frontier.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction 06:18 - The Impact of CRS on Quality of Life14:02 - Understanding Brain Fog and Cognitive Dysfunction24:29 - Pathophysiology and Theories of Cognitive Dysfunction27:44 - Chronic Inflammation and Cognitive Effects28:59 - Impact of Biologics on Cognitive Function31:28 - Risk Factors for Cognitive Dysfunction35:02 - Olfactory Symptoms 37:13 - Future Research and Treatment Approaches45:31 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts --- RESOURCES Dr. Aria Jafari https://www.uwmedicine.org/bios/aria-jafari