HealthDay (10/25, Reinberg) reported that two studies published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia suggest that herpes simplex may be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, which included approximately “3,500 people followed for an average of 11 years,” investigators “found that having certain antibodies to a herpes infection doubled the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”
In the other study, “blood samples were taken from 360 Alzheimer’s patients an average of 9.6 years before being diagnosed with the disease.” Those samples were compared to samples of individuals without the disease. When all of the samples were compared, the investigators saw no link between the virus and Alzheimer’s risk. But, “when they looked only at people who’d had their blood taken at least 6.6 years prior, there was a significant association between the herpes virus and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”
Related Links:
— “Studies Link Cold Sore Virus to Alzheimer’s Risk,” Steven Reinberg, HealthDay, October 24, 2014.