Episode # 225 • 02 Jun 2025
Sinusitis & Cognitive Impairment: Exploring the Inflammatory Pathway
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.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
06:18 - The Impact of CRS on Quality of Life
14:02 - Understanding Brain Fog and Cognitive Dysfunction
24:29 - Pathophysiology and Theories of Cognitive Dysfunction
27:44 - Chronic Inflammation and Cognitive Effects
28:59 - Impact of Biologics on Cognitive Function
31:28 - Risk Factors for Cognitive Dysfunction
35:02 - Olfactory Symptoms
37:13 - Future Research and Treatment Approaches
45:31 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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More about this episode
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.
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