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Study Links Herpes Virus to Higher Alzheimer’s Risk, Suggests Antiviral Benefits

Research finds an 80% increased Alzheimer’s risk with HSV-1 infection but a 17% reduced risk among those treated with antivirals, though causality remains unproven.

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Overview

  • A study published in BMJ Open analyzed data from 344,628 adults over 50 diagnosed with Alzheimer’s between 2006 and 2021, comparing them to an equal number without the disease.
  • The findings suggest individuals with HSV-1 infection have an 80% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those without the virus.
  • Those treated with antiviral medications for HSV-1 showed a 17% lower risk of Alzheimer’s than untreated individuals, highlighting potential protective effects.
  • Experts caution that the study is observational, based on insurance records, and does not establish a direct causal relationship between HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s.
  • HSV-1’s potential role in Alzheimer’s may involve brain inflammation and tau protein changes, but further research is needed to confirm mechanisms and evaluate antiviral therapies.