A recent study has found a potential link between human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a common herpes virus, and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers discovered that HCMV can infect the gut and travel to the brain, where it is linked to certain proteins associated with the disease.
According to the study, published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, approximately one-third of Americans have antibodies to HCMV by age 5, and about half have been infected by age 40. The virus lies dormant in the body even after a person recovers from their initial infection.
When an individual is infected with HCMV, their immune system can control the virus but never clear it from their system. This means that the virus can be reactivated, potentially infecting the gut and brain.
The study’s findings suggest that herpes viruses, including HCMV, could be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease in certain individuals, possibly decades before symptoms manifest. However, more research is needed to confirm this link.
Researchers analyzed brain tissue samples from 101 people who had died, finding a correlation between the presence of HCMV and Alzheimer’s disease. The study also found that microglia cells produced a protein called CD83(+) when exposed to HCMV, which was linked to the virus in both the gut and brain.
Further investigation showed that HCMV can accelerate the production of amyloid and tau proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease in brain organoids grown in a lab. However, it is essential to note that the study only shows a correlation between HCMV and Alzheimer’s disease and does not establish causation.
The discovery highlights the complex relationships between gut health, immune function, and brain health, emphasizing the need for further research into the potential role of infections in neurodegenerative diseases.
Source: https://www.health.com/chronic-gut-infection-alzheimers-8772057