A study reveals that herpes simplex virus can increase the risk of Alzheimer's



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The herpes virus can increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study. The study also found that antiviral drugs can significantly reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease.

In a study published in the journal Neurotherapeutics in February of this year, Taiwanese epidemiologists examined subjects who suffered from severe herpes infection and who were treated aggressively.

Scientists from the University of Manchester and the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom claim that the study shows that the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) carries an increased risk of developing the disease

. "This article and two more by different research groups in Taiwan provide the first population evidence for a causal link between herpes virus infection and Alzheimer's disease, a discovery extremely important, "said Ruth Itzhaki, professor at the University of Manchester in the UK.

The new findings, published in the J The Alzheimer's disease report states that the previous study provides the strongest evidence of a causal link between herpes and Alzheimer's Disease

"I believe we are the first to understand the implications of this striking data for this devastating disease, affecting the elderly." There are almost 30 million people in the world who and, unfortunately, this number will increase as longevity increases, "he said.

" But we think these methods are safe and easy to use. "Available antivirals can play an important role in the fight against malaria. against the disease in these patients.It also raises the future possibility of preventing the disease by vaccination against the virus in childhood, "he said.

Most Alzheimer's researchers are studying its main features – amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles; however, despite the large amount of research, the causes of their formation are unknown.

HSV1 infects most humans in youth or later and remains for life in the dormant body in the peripheral nervous system.

From time to time the virus becomes activated and in some people it then causes visible lesions in the form of cold sores.

The Taiwan study identified 8,362 subjects aged 50 years or older between January and December 2000 who were recently diagnosed with a serious HSV infection.

The study group was compared to a control group of 25,086 individuals without evidence of HSV infection

. The researchers then monitored the development of dementia in these individuals over a period of time. 10-year follow-up between 2001 and 2010.

The risk of developing dementia in the HSV group was multiplied by 2.542. However, when the researchers compared those in the HSV cohort who were treated with antiviral treatment versus those who did not receive it, the late incidence of dementia was multiplied by ten during of the last ten years

. the remarkable antiviral effect, but also the fact that – despite the relatively short duration and timing of treatment – in most patients severely affected by HSV1, it seems to prevent long-term damage in the brain that causes the disease of Alzheimer's, "said Richard Lathe. of the University of Edinburgh

Source: PTI

Source of the image: Shutterstock

Published: 16 July, 2018 13:04


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