Alzheimer’s disease is expected to affect 153 million people worldwide by 2050. Researchers are now investigating potential health conditions that may increase a person’s risk for the disease. A new study has found a link between Alzheimer’s disease and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), with the presence of modified tau protein in the brain potentially playing a protective role against viral infections.
According to Assistant Professor Or Shemesh, who led the study, identifying health conditions that raise Alzheimer’s risk is crucial for early intervention, targeted prevention strategies, and personalized treatment approaches. By understanding the risk factors, researchers can develop strategies to mitigate these risks, potentially delaying or preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s.
The study used various modeling techniques to investigate how HSV-1 might be linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers detected HSV-1-related proteins in postmortem human brain samples and found that viral proteins increase as Alzheimer’s disease worsens. Experiments using miniature human brain models showed that HSV-1 infection increases tau levels, which may initially play a protective role against viral infections.
Interestingly, the study suggests that activating a specific immune response pathway in the brain could help mitigate the impact of viral infections on Alzheimer’s pathology. This approach may involve mimicking the beneficial effects of tau phosphorylation without triggering its harmful aggregation.
The study’s findings have sparked debate among experts, with some questioning the association between HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Manisha Parulekar, director of the Division of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center, noted that while the mechanisms are plausible, more research is needed to understand the exact role of viruses like HSV-1 in Alzheimer’s progression.
Dr. Clifford Segil, a neurologist, also expressed skepticism about the link between HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s disease, stating that clinical trials should be conducted to investigate the potential benefits of antiviral medications like acyclovir.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-alzheimers-linked-to-cold-sore-herpes-virus