Overview

• A new study involving over 344,000 patients reveals that individuals with a history of HSV-1 infection have an 80% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
• The research, published in BMJ Open, shows that antiviral medications, such as those used to treat cold sores, are linked to a 17% lower risk of Alzheimer’s among HSV-1 patients.
• Experts suggest that HSV-1 may contribute to Alzheimer’s through brain inflammation and amyloid plaque-like formations, hallmarks of the disease.
• The study highlights the potential of repurposing widely available antiviral drugs for Alzheimer’s prevention, though further causal and interventional research is needed.
• Researchers and experts caution that the findings are observational and do not prove causation, emphasizing the need for more rigorous studies to confirm the link.