Scientists name viruses that increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Geneticists at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda have found that the development of neurodegenerative diseases may be associated with viral infections. The research was published in the journal Neuron.

The scientists took data from the Finnish FinnGen project and British Biobank, which includes genetic data from more than 800,000 people in total. The control group included 96,390 people without neurodegenerative disease.

Scientists have found 45 associations between viruses and neurodegenerative diseases. Influenza (with or without pneumonia) has been recognized as the most common viral infection associated with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, vascular dementia and other diseases.

Viral encephalitis caused by varicella zoster virus or herpes simplex virus has also been associated with the manifestation of multiple neurodegenerative diseases.

81% of the viruses studied can attack the central nervous system via peripheral nerves or cross the blood-brain barrier that protects the brain’s circulatory system. This can increase the risk of cognitive impairment due to inflammation in the brain.

Effective vaccines are available for a variety of viral infections, including influenza, chickenpox (shingles), and pneumonia. Many vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, do not prevent the onset of the disease, but reduce its severity. Previously, several studies have provided evidence that vaccination significantly reduces the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.



Source: Gazeta

Popular

More from author

Iranian President commented on the obstruction of the IAEA’s work 19:04

Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi said that Tehran did not aim to hinder the work of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and decided to...

Tigre vs San Lorenzo | September 24, 2023

Live resultsLatest newsTransfersThe competition InfoClassificationCompetitions and resultsLatest newsEquipmentBarcelonaReal MadridAtletico MadridValenciaSevillePlayersAntoine GriezmannKarim BenzemaLuis SuarezMemphis DepayEden HazardUEFA Champions League InfoClassificationCompetitions and resultsLatest newsFresher footballEquipmentManchester UnitedReal MadridJuventusBarcelonaPSGPlayersLionel...

More than 20 people were injured in the accident that occurred in the Sverdlovsk region 18:54

The Ministry of Health of the Sverdlovsk Region said that 22 people, including 15 children, were injured as a result of the collision of...

CSKA legend urged Zakharyan to learn Spanish as quickly as possible 18:52

Former CSKA Moscow striker Valery Masalitin said in an interview with socialbites.ca that Real Sociedad midfielder Arsen Zakharyan should take his chances of establishing...