GlaxoSmithKline GmbH & Co. KG
Munich (ots)
– New research indicates that herpes viruses can promote Alzheimer’s
– The focus is on the herpes simplex virus type 1, but the varicella zoster virus could also play an important role
– 95% of people over the age of 60 carry the varicella-zoster virus in their bodies
A recent research report from the US and UK suggests that herpes viruses can promote Alzheimer’s disease.1 This is the finding of a study by the Oxford Institute of Population Aging, the University of Manchester and Tufts University in Massachusetts (USA). ).
As early as 30 years ago, researchers** found the herpes simplex virus type 1 in the brain cells of many older people.2 If this is reactivated, for example by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is responsible for chickenpox or shingles, processes can , which eventually lead to Alzheimer’s. Active herpes simplex virus type 1 can cause Alzheimer’s-related proteins to accumulate in the brain of predisposed patients.3
The medical doctor Dr. medical Michael A. Überall sees the study as important work in Alzheimer’s research: “The results of this experimental study broaden our view of the development of Alzheimer’s disease to include a previously neglected but absolutely possible new cause – chronic viral diseases.” It is therefore all the more important to keep an eye on herpes diseases: “Approximately 95 percent of all adults carry the varicella-zoster virus and approximately 50 percent carry the herpes simplex virus type 1. This “carrier status” was for most of those affected rather insignificant for a long time.” With increasing average age and the increasing proportion of older people in the total population, however, the age-related reactivation of these viruses and the formation of the proteins that are jointly responsible for Alzheimer’s disease play a greater role. “Even if we don’t really know yet how these proteins impair the function of the nerve cells, it is at least clear that the extent of formation and deposition depends on the number and severity of VZV reactivations and with the severity of Alzheimer’s disease is closely related.”
“Should this connection also be confirmed in clinical studies, then the VZV could provide an opportunity to preventively influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease or perhaps even prevent it to a large extent, namely through vaccination with the live vaccine in childhood to avoid initial infection with VZV and to vaccinate adults with the inactivated vaccine to strengthen the immune system and prevent reactivation of VZV already in the body.”
Reactivation of the VZV also dangerous independently of Alzheimer’s
Almost everyone over the age of 60 in this country carries the varicella-zoster virus after a chickenpox infection – mostly in childhood.4 Age, stress and illness can result in reactivation of the virus and shingles can break out . Even if the name may sound harmless, it is a painful disease that can be very dangerous for the person affected, depending on the severity of the condition. Because with shingles, it is usually not only the skin that is affected, on which itchy blisters form, but there is often also inflammation of the nerve cells underneath. External stimuli from temperature, touch or pressure can then lead to nerve pain that is difficult to treat. In quite a few cases, the outbreak of shingles leads to complications such as B. long-lasting nerve pain, which can severely affect the everyday life of the affected patients for years to come. Up to 30% suffer from what is known as post-herpetic neuralgia. B. in the face, among other things, the visual or auditory nerve can be permanently damaged.6 Symptoms of paralysis are also possible.
Protection against shingles possible
“The decisive measure to prevent the reactivation of these viruses and the development of shingles is to strengthen the immune system by vaccinating with an inactivated vaccine. For this reason, everyone should receive this vaccination in accordance with the current recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) in order to not only to get the best possible protection against shingles and its many complications, but also to reduce your personal risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. All over. The STIKO recommends vaccination against shingles for people over the age of 60 and people with underlying diseases from the age of 50.7
About shingles
Shingles appears as a skin disease, but is an infectious disease caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox pathogen. More than 95 percent of people over the age of 60 have already had chickenpox and are therefore carrying the virus.4 One in three people will develop shingles during their lifetime.7 On the one hand, the immune system decreases with age, making reactivation more likely. On the other hand, those affected do not become infected, but already have the pathogen in their body and it can be activated again if the immune system is weakened (e.g. due to stress, COVID-19 disease). When the virus is reactivated, the previously inactive pathogens migrate from the nerve nodes along the nerve fibers to their ends on the skin’s surface. There, as a reaction, the characteristic blisters form, which wrap around the body in the form of a belt or band. Often only one side of the body is affected. Since the virus “migrates” to the skin via the nerve tracts, severe, “shooting” pain often occurs even before the typical blisters appear. Other symptoms include exhaustion, exhaustion and severe burning to stabbing nerve pain that sometimes lasts for months. Up to 30 percent of those affected have complications and long-term consequences.8 Sometimes this lasts for several months, in other cases the pain can last a lifetime. Shingles can also cause visual disturbances, complete vision and hearing loss, and in rare cases strokes and heart attacks.6
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Sources:
1 Cairns MD et al., Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 2022, vol. 88, no. 3, pp. 1189-1200.
2 Jamieson, GA et al., 1991 J. of Medical Virology. vol:33 iss:4 pg:224.
3 Wozniak MA et al., 2004 J. of Medical Virology vol75 pp. 300-306.
4 Wutzler et al. 2001; Vaccine 20:121-124.
5 Harpaz R et al. MMWR Recomm Rep 2008; 57:1-40.
6 RKI (ed.): In a nutshell: Fact sheets on vaccination. herpes zoster vaccination; 2020
7 Epidemiological Bulletin, 18/2020.
8 Hillebrand K; Journal of infection; 2015;70;178-186.
**Info: Gender-appropriate language: In principle, this text includes all genders. For better readability, however, only one gender form is used – which is at the discretion of those who wrote the text.
NP-DE-HZX-PRSR-220012, August 2022.
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