Scientists ‘slash risk of Alzheimer’s’ with medicine used to treat cold sores
Scientists discover surprising link between common virus and dementia
- Research suggests a link between herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), commonly associated with cold sores, and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
- A large-scale US study found that individuals with a history of HSV-1 infection had an 80 per cent higher risk of developing Alzheimer's.
- The study also indicated that using antiviral medications to treat HSV-1 could potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer's by 17 per cent.
- While the exact mechanism linking HSV-1 and Alzheimer's remains unclear, researchers suspect inflammation caused by the virus may play a role.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the most effective strategies for preventing Alzheimer's, including the potential role of antiviral therapies, the researchers said.