- Research suggests a link between herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), commonly associated with cold sores, and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
- A large-scale US study found that individuals with a history of HSV-1 infection had an 80 per cent higher risk of developing Alzheimer's.
- The study also indicated that using antiviral medications to treat HSV-1 could potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer's by 17 per cent.
- While the exact mechanism linking HSV-1 and Alzheimer's remains unclear, researchers suspect inflammation caused by the virus may play a role.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the most effective strategies for preventing Alzheimer's, including the potential role of antiviral therapies, the researchers said.
IN FULL
Scientists ‘slash risk of Alzheimer’s’ with medicine used to treat cold sores
