New research from Sweden suggests a link between cold sores and Alzheimer’s disease.
In two separate studies, researchers examined blood for antibodies to the herpes simplex 1 virus that causes cold sores. In the first one, they studied almost 3,500 older people for 11 years. Those who showed evidence of re-actived herpes virus infections were about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as those who did not.
In a second study, 360 people with Alzheimer’s disease were matched for age and sex to people without dementia. Then the scientists studied blood that these people had donated years earlier. Again, antibodies to herpes were associated with double the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease.
It is tempting to consider the possibility that treating herpes infections with antiviral drugs might lower the chance of Alzheimer’s disease later on, but long-term randomized controlled trials will be needed to determine whether this will be helpful.
[Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Oct. 7, 2014]
There is more information about this research and the antiviral drugs used to treat herpes simplex virus infections in our blog.
Redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/do-cold-sores-herpes-1-increase-the-risk-for-alzheimers/ on 5/25/17
