Find out the virus that increases one’s risk of developing dementia!

The latest research has revealed a startling link between a common virus and an increased risk of dementia.

The culprit? The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)—a virus that is believed to affect around 80 per cent of the Australian population.



This virus, which can cause both cold sores and genital herpes, is carried by most people, often without displaying any symptoms.

But the real shocker is that carrying this virus could potentially double your risk of developing dementia.


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Research showed that those diagnosed with herpes simplex virus have a higher risk of developing dementia. Image source: Freepik.

The research, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, followed more than 1,000 participants over a 15-year period.

A staggering 82 per cent of these participants were found to carry HSV-1 antibodies. The study found that those carrying the virus were twice as likely to develop dementia during the study period.



These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that certain types of viral infections could play a significant role in cognitive decline.

With almost 421,000 people in Australia currently living with different forms of dementia, understanding the factors that contribute to this condition is more important than ever.

Interestingly, the researchers found that the association between HSV-1 and dementia occurred regardless of the two strongest predicting factors of the disease—age, and the presence of a variant of the gene APOE-4.

In fact, those who carried the APOE-4 variant were no more likely to show a cognitive decline linked to HSV-1 antibodies.



Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, accounts for 70 per cent of dementia cases.

It is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain, leading to a progressive decline in cognitive function.

The disease typically progresses through three stages: mild, moderate, and advanced, with early signs including memory loss, poor judgement, and brain fog.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s can appear as early as the 40s, 50s, and early 60s.

The number of Australians affected by dementia is also projected to rise to 812,500 by 2054.



Erika Vestin, a Medical Student at Uppsala University and Co-author of the study, highlighted the significance of the research.

'What’s special about this particular study is that the participants are roughly the same age, which makes the results even more reliable since age differences, which are otherwise linked to the development of dementia, cannot confuse the results,’ she said.

'More and more evidence is emerging from studies that, like our findings, point to the herpes simplex virus as a risk factor for dementia.'

Further studies aim to investigate whether drugs known to combat the herpes simplex virus can also reduce the risk of dementia.

Vestin and her colleagues are calling for randomised controlled trials to explore this possibility.
Key Takeaways
  • Research has indicated that being infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) could double an individual's risk of developing dementia.
  • The study tracked more than 1,000 participants over 15 years, showing that those with HSV-1 were twice as likely to develop dementia, even considering other risk factors.
  • The research, which took place in Sweden, adds to evidence suggesting a link between viral infections and cognitive decline.
  • Further investigation is needed to see if antiviral drugs for HSV-1 could potentially lower dementia risk, with calls for randomised controlled trials to explore this possibility.
What are your thoughts on these findings? Have you or a loved one been affected by dementia? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
 
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An aunt was but her husband played around a lot. He would have passed to everyone he slept with. Even after he was told about safe sex he would not use condom. Didn't care
To cut it short his wife at the end she was bad she would wonder not know where she was days later when she was found could not remember. I wonder if all the women he slept with ended up like her. Some men are bustard. There is a doctor in Africa they found out later he used herbs 🌿 to cure it in its early stage. He is on an app called plants
Medicinal1000022351.jpg
 
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Reactions: Petra
I have experienced an unknown number of " cold sores" in my life time!
My drs and skin specialist always associated them with my lifestyle ( living in snowy areas for most of my " early life"!)
I have to wonder n if my current memory issues have any associated symptoms/ causes???
Would almost be happy to discover an association...Might give me and my family some " answers" to my " memory issues "!
 
So if 80% of the population carry the virus would it not seem that those with dementia will also have it?
 
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Reactions: Scaveola
I have experienced an unknown number of " cold sores" in my life time!
My drs and skin specialist always associated them with my lifestyle ( living in snowy areas for most of my " early life"!)
I have to wonder n if my current memory issues have any associated symptoms/ causes???
Would almost be happy to discover an association...Might give me and my family some " answers" to my " memory issues "!
Find doctor that will do several different test
 
Interesting but to date a Virus has never been detected outside of a Host ,and many Medicos are now saying Virology is a hoax Specialty ,Parasitic invasions of the Body is also a cause of many diseases they are finding Lifestyle and Genetics has significance ,Eat Clean Foods, dont Smoke or Drink Alcohol, Exercise ,dont use Toxic Chemicals in your Home ,have fresh Air ,get outside ,reduce Stress
 
Used to be called the kissing disease, supposedly 90% of the world's population have it. Doesn't always affect everyone. You need to expose yourself to as many germs etc as possible so your immune system can strengthen it's own defences, these people who live in the most sterile existence always seem to be the ones that get the sickest.
 
Oh. My. Word.

I'm doomed.

Have suffered from (there's no other suitable expression for it) cold sores since around the time I went to school. And no, I wasn't kissing any boys. Not that I remember anyway.

Those were the Dark Ages when no ointment was available to stop the bubbling virus in its tracks so my mum tried all kinds of traditional treatments, but to no avail.

Once it was so bad that a small cauliflower sprouted on my upper lip. It gave me the creeps when I tried to eat as touching the lump with the fork or spoon would create the weirdest sensation, so I stopped eating, fainted, and this was one of the very few occasions that the local doctor had to visit us at home. (Remember that, when doctors did home visits?)

Anyway, I seem to have 'outgrown' them and on the odd occasion, when I'm stressed or had been exposed to too much sun, the trusted ointment is nearby to stop that tingling sensation developing into something nasty.

So, I was a happy person. Until now!!

PS And to those learned doctors among us sprouting stuff about strengthening immune systems and whatnot, my immune system has always been in excellent shape. In fact, many of the childhood diseases never touched me, and I was the one who had to take flowers to the class mates who had been laid low with mumps or measles or jaundice. So there.
 
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Reactions: SusanCarver
I just wonder how extensive and conclusive the research is. I’m not dismissing it, but I just have a gut feeling the research involved is jumping the gun. But the article is informative.
I thought the “kissing disease” was mononucleosis, (Epstein-Barr virus).
 

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