A new study published in Nature has found that receiving the shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of developing dementia by 20% over seven years. The research, conducted in Wales, used a unique natural experiment design to isolate the effect of the vaccine from other factors.
Researchers determined eligibility for the vaccine based on exact birthdate, creating a comparison group between individuals born just before and after the cutoff date (September 2, 1933). They then analyzed data from electronic health records to examine the risk of developing dementia over seven years.
The study found that receiving the shingles vaccine was associated with a significant reduction in dementia diagnoses. The effect was stronger among women than men, and the findings were confirmed using a different population and outcome measure.
This natural experiment design allows for the identification of potential causal effects between the shingles vaccine and dementia risk. The researchers hope that their findings could inform public health strategies to reduce dementia risk.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Markus Eyting, stated that the use of regression discontinuity designs offers many opportunities for evaluating the effectiveness of public health measures. This research has significant implications for understanding the role of vaccines in preventing or delaying dementia and may pave the way for new prevention pathways.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/shingles-vaccine-dementia-28565