For centuries, vaccines have played a crucial role in preventing infectious diseases. However, recent research suggests that vaccines may also hold promise for preventing dementia. A study published in Nature found that the herpes zoster vaccine may lower the risk of dementia by as much as 20% in the general population.
The study’s findings are promising, but more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between vaccines and dementia. One potential explanation for the observed effect is that the shingles virus itself may contribute to exacerbating dementia. However, another theory suggests that the vaccine may have activated the immune system, providing “trained immunity” that could help prevent dementia.
While the exact mechanisms are still unclear, the study’s authors believe that this research could open up new avenues for understanding and treating dementia. The development of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is necessary to confirm these findings and determine whether vaccines can be used as a preventative measure against dementia.
The challenges of tackling dementia are significant. According to a recent study, the lifetime risk of dementia after age 55 is 42%, with the majority of risk occurring after 85. The disease affects millions worldwide, and current treatments have limited success.
However, researchers remain optimistic about the potential for vaccines to play a role in preventing or treating dementia. As one expert noted, “the process of doing science has a way of teaching researchers humility, opening our minds to new information, learning from our mistakes and going where that data takes us in our quest for effective, life-saving therapies.”
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/a-routine-vaccine-may-lower-dementia-risk-by-as-much-as-20