A study published 30 years ago has achieved a new conversation about the potential link between the ordinary cold disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Published in Lance In 1997, researchers compared the DNA derived from the brain of the elderly with and without Alzheimer’s, and in some of them they found herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)-infection, often concluded in childhood-paying in the nerves. In the end, researchers predict that those with an HSV-1 and a specific gene called the Apoe-E4 gene, have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Meet the experts: David Hunter, Doctor of Medicine, Assistant and Neurologist at Uthealth Houston, Linda Yancey, Doctor of Medicine, Memorial Hermann Infectious Disease Disease; and Mark Santos, Doctor of Science, Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Touro Nevada.
Study co -author Ruth Yitzhaki, Doctor of Sciences, summarized his team’s findings in a recent article about Conversation He noted that over the years, additional work has emerged to support hers.
But what exactly does everything mean? If a cold occurs, do you have to worry about dementia? We reached for experts who explained everything.
What is HSV-1?
“HSV-1 is a common virus that almost all of them are exposed at the beginning of their lives,” says David Hunter, Doctor of Medicine, Assistant Professor and Neurologist at Uthealth Houston. “He is best known for causing cold ulcers and closely associated with chicken pox and mononucleosis.”
The general viruses are that they are neurotropic, which means that they are retained in the nervous system long after the initial disease, explains Linda Yansi, D -R, a doctor in infectious disease in the health system of the Herrian Herman and can be reacted again by stress or reduced immunity. Here’s how chicken pox can be shown later in life like shingles, adds Dr. Hunter.
It is believed that the ability of the virus to infiltrate the nerves to overcome it along the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that protects the organ from infection through the blood. Thanks to this entry point, says Dr. Hunter, HSV-1 is the most common cause of viral inflammation of the brain in the United States.
“There is no HSV vaccine and almost everyone will get it until adulthood,” adds Dr. Hunter. Cold wounds are a mild case of it and the symptoms can be treated with antiviral drugs.
How can HSV-1 and Alzheimer be connected
The HSV-1 sleeping can be activated by the disease and reach the brain, explains Marc Santos, Doctor of Science, Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Touro Nevada. This can cause brain inflammation in time known as herpes encephalitis,
And in people with genetic risk factors, such as the APOE-4 gene, contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s, he adds. “We don’t know why APOE-4 is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s,” adds Dr. Hunter. “The connection to HSV may be that APOE-4 affects the blood-brain barrier and facilitates HSV entry.” And the inflammation caused by this entry can increase Alzheimer’s risk. “Now it is generally accepted that inflammation in the brain is a key step in the development of Alzheimer’s,” repeated Dr. Hunter.
What the experts think
Over the three decades after the initial study, doctors and researchers learned much more about Alzheimer’s disease and its relationship with viral inflammation. For example, several studies have found that immunized for any disease (such as Covid-19 or influenza) reduces Alzheimer’s risk, says Dr. Hunter. “Several other studies have shown that reducing inflammation in the brain helps prevent Alzheimer’s prevent this,” he adds.
Santos agrees. “Since 1996, additional studies have detected HSV-1 DNA in the brain of Alzheimer’s individuals. Laboratory studies have also shown that HSV-1 infection can cause amyloid-beta and tau protein, highly related to Alzheimer’s pathology,” he explains.
However, there are a few responsibility that must be noted. First, the risk of posing is associated with people who shrink HSV-1 in the early lives, which gives it time to cause progressive inflammation. The risk may be more in adults, Santos says. “This was said, if anyone has other risk factors (such as a weakened immune system or Apoe-E4), HSV-1 of an adult can still have long-term consequences,” he adds.
However, neurotropic viruses are extremely common, repeats Dr. Yansi. “This makes it difficult to irritate whether they cause neurological problems or are simply common in the general population, including people with neurological problems,” she adds. In other words, because most people end up with HSV-1 does not necessarily mean that most people will receive Alzheimer’s.
“Most cold wounds are not a cause for concern,” Santos adds. “They are common and usually well-controlled by the immune system. But for people with frequent outbreaks, weakened immunity or APOE-E4, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider. Concerns are not a single cold but a long-term viral activity in the brain.”
More studies are needed, including long-term studies to complete all solid associations, Santos and Dr. Yansi. “These data are based on population level studies. There is no way to predict the level of the individual patient whether this has a significant impact,” says Dr. Yansi.
Hopefully, at least it will help experts understand how antiviral treatment affects Alzheimer’s risk, as well as identify better ways to detect when the HSV-1 is active in the brain. “The hope is that understanding of how infections contribute to Alzheimer’s will open new ways to prevent or treat – especially before the symptoms begin,” Santos says.
Choosing a lifestyle that can help with a lower risk of dementia
To be vaccinated, exercise, to deal with mental stimulation and maintenance of a diet healthy for the heart are known ways to reduce the risk of dementia, our experts say. Avoiding smoking or using nicotine of any kind can also “drastically” reduce the risk, says Dr. Yansi. All these habits and choices work together to support both immunity and brain health.
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