Herpes virus linked to Alzheimer's disease, antivirals can help



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London – Scientists have found evidence of a link between herpes infection and Alzheimer's disease as well as the potential of antivirals in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease.

In the study, when people with severe herpes were treated aggressively with antiviral drugs, the relative risk of dementia was reduced by a factor of 10.

The Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infects most humans in youth or later and remains in the body as a dormant form in the peripheral nervous system.

Various studies have shown the link between herpes and Alzheimer's.

A study of Taiwanese epidemiologists, published in February this year, shows that the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) carries an increased risk of developing the disease, said researchers from the University of Manchester.

In a commentary, reported in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease on the three articles, the team argued that they provide "I believe we are the first to realize the implications of these striking data on this devastating disease that primarily affects the elderly. "We believe that these safe and readily available antivirals can have an important role to play in the fight against the disease in these patients," he added. Taiwanese study identified 8,362 subjects aged 50 years or older who were newly diagnosed with severe HSV infection and were compared to 25,086 people without any evidence of the existence of an infection by the HSV infection

The risk of developing dementia in the HSV group was multiplied by 2,542

but, compared with those treated with antiviral treatment, compared to those who did not not received, they were multiplied by ten the later incidence of dementia over 10 years.

Despite the relatively short duration and timing of treatment – in most patients severely affected by HSV1, the antiviral seemed to prevent "We have suggested that the virus in the brain is reactivated by certain events such as the stress, immunosuppression, and infection / inflammation elsewhere. "

"So we believe that the brain is damaged by the brain.The cycle of HSV1 reactivation in the brain eventually causes Alzheimer's disease in at least some patients." Itzhaki said.

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