A recent study from the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston has uncovered a significant link between adult vaccinations and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The research, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, suggests that certain vaccines may contribute to brain health and longevity.
The study, led by Paul E. Schulz, MD, found that individuals who had received at least one flu vaccine experienced a 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those who had never been vaccinated. The researchers also discovered that vaccination with the Tdap/Td, HZ, or pneumococcal vaccine reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s by 30%, 25%, and 27%, respectively.
The study’s findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that vaccinations may play a protective role against neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers speculate that vaccines could help by reducing systemic inflammation or preventing infections that may accelerate cognitive decline.
“We hypothesize that the immune system is responsible for causing brain cell dysfunction in Alzheimer’s,” said Schulz. “The findings suggest to us that vaccination is having a more general effect on the immune system that is reducing the risk for developing Alzheimer’s.”
The study involved analyzing patients who had no dementia signs in the past two years and were at least 65 at the beginning of an eight-year observation period. The researchers compared vaccinated patients with non-vaccinated counterparts to determine the relative and absolute risk reductions for Alzheimer’s.
While the exact mechanisms are still under investigation, the findings offer a promising direction for future Alzheimer’s research. As one researcher noted, “Vaccines may change how the immune system responds to the build-up of toxic proteins that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.”
The study’s results have significant implications for public health, highlighting the importance of routine vaccinations in preventing Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Source: https://www.thebrighterside.news/health/new-study-reveals-a-major-link-between-vaccines-and-alzheimers