Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Shingles Vaccine Linked to 20% Lower Dementia Risk, Study Finds

Research published in Nature highlights a potential connection between shingles vaccination and reduced dementia risk, with calls for further investigation into underlying mechanisms and broader implications.

Professor Ruth Itzhaki has to stop herself from feeling bitter about the way she was treated
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • A study utilizing a natural experiment in Wales found a 20% reduction in dementia risk among individuals vaccinated for shingles compared to those who were not.
  • The research suggests the vaccine may protect against dementia by preventing reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which can cause brain inflammation.
  • Broader immunological effects of the shingles vaccine, beyond preventing the disease itself, may also contribute to the reduced dementia risk.
  • The study observed stronger protective effects in women, potentially linked to differences in immune responses to vaccination.
  • Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm these findings, explore mechanisms, and assess newer vaccines like Shingrix for similar benefits.