Common virus linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease – you probably have it

Talk about a sore topic.

New research suggests that a common viral infection rising to 8 out of 10 North -Americans could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

But there is a shin of hope: scientists believe that antiviral treatments can help protect infected individuals from developing memory disease.

Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, affects about 7.2 million Americans 65 and over, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Although scientists have not pointed out a single cause of progressive brain disorder, factors such as age, genetics, lifestyle options and underlying health conditions can increase the risk.

A new innovative study published on Tuesday has discovered another factor that can play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s: a symptomatic infection with the virus of the long cold, Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV-1).

The researchers combined for 15 years of U.S. health records, analyzing data of about 345,000 pairs of patients with and without Alzheimer’s.

As expected, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s increased with age. People with the disease also had 80% likely to have a HSV-1 diagnosis.

Researchers also examined the potential role of other herpes viruses, including HSV-2, Varicella Zoster and Citomegalovirus. They found that the infections with the first two were related to an increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Herpes infections are incredibly common.

Between 50% and 80% of American adults wear HSV-1 (Oral Herpes), while HSV-2 (Genital Herpes) affects 1 in each north from 14 to 49 years old, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

These viral infections spread through the contact of person to intimate person.

The kiss or oral sex can transmit HSV-1, while HSV-2 is distributed by vaginal, anal or oral sex. A mother infected with the virus can also pass her baby during childbirth.

“These findings emphasize even more in seeing the prevention of herpes viruses as a public health priority,” said study authors.

Exactly like HSV-1 and other neurotropic viruses can increase the risk of dementia is clear.

However, researchers said that previous studies have shown inflammatory changes to the brain, triggered by infection, play a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer’s.

For example, inflammation can contribute to the training and accumulation of amyloid plates and neurofibrillary tabs, distinguishing characteristics of the disease. Inflammation can also damage neurons, affecting their function and disturbing communication between brain cells.

But there is a silver coating: antiviral treatment seems to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in people with a history of HSV-1 infection.

In the study, among the 2,330 people with a history of HSV-1 infection, 40% used antiherpetic medicines after diagnosis. They had 17% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those who did not use the treatments.

“Although the molecular mechanisms are still to be elucidated, these results are indicative of a possible role for antiherpetic therapy in mitigation of dementia risk,” concluded the authors of the study.

Alzheimer’s is the seventh cause of death among American adults, with the average patient who lives from four to eight years after the diagnosis.

Care has not been identified, but treatments and interventions can help stop the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life.

Only by 2020, Alzheimer’s cost about $ 305 billion in the USA, and the figure is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades.

With the number of Americans living with constantly growing disease, scientists predict that 13.8 million will have Alzheimer’s by 2050, or 16% of the North -American population over 65.