Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden found that people infected with the herpes simplex virus, which causes inflammation of the lips, were twice as likely to develop dementia. results published In the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (JAD).
50-80 percent of the US adult population is believed to be infected with the herpes simplex virus. Inflamed “blisters” may form on the lips during periods when the immune system is weakened or the body is exposed to intense sun, cold wind and stress.
The study, which included health data from more than a thousand Swedes, revealed that herpes virus infection increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The first phase of the study was to collect information about the health status of the volunteers, and the second phase was their long-term observation.
At the end of the follow-up period, 71 participants developed dementia and 36 participants developed Alzheimer’s disease. However, approximately 89% of participants with these diseases were infected with the herpes simplex virus. Using statistical analysis, researchers determined that having the virus doubles the risk of developing dementia.
There is a theory in the scientific community that the herpes virus, once it enters the body, can contribute to the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain that are associated with dementia. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this relationship need to be clarified.
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