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Alzheimer's link to cold sore bug | Science | The Guardian
Scientists have discovered a link between the virus that causes cold sores and brain changes that occur with Alzheimer's disease. It is too early to say whether the virus causes the disease, but the researchers say it raises the possibility that standard anti-viral drugs could in future be used to treat the disease or prevent it from occurring.
The researchers have found that herpes simplex virus type 1 is found within so-called amyloid plaques in the brains of people who died of Alzheimer's, suggesting that it may have a role in causing the damage. According to the NHS, Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. It affects about 450,000 people. In over-65s, about one in 20 people are affected, rising to one in five over 80.
The team at Manchester University has shown that in mice beta-amyloid, the main component of plaques, accumulates in the brain when the animals are infected with herpes simplex. In brains from people who died from the disease, they found that 90% of plaques contained the virus, with which most people are infected. It remains dormant in the nervous system, but in 20% to 40% it causes cold sores.
Scientists have discovered a link between the virus that causes cold sores and brain changes that occur with Alzheimer's disease. It is too early to say whether the virus causes the disease, but the researchers say it raises the possibility that standard anti-viral drugs could in future be used to treat the disease or prevent it from occurring.
The researchers have found that herpes simplex virus type 1 is found within so-called amyloid plaques in the brains of people who died of Alzheimer's, suggesting that it may have a role in causing the damage. According to the NHS, Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. It affects about 450,000 people. In over-65s, about one in 20 people are affected, rising to one in five over 80.
The team at Manchester University has shown that in mice beta-amyloid, the main component of plaques, accumulates in the brain when the animals are infected with herpes simplex. In brains from people who died from the disease, they found that 90% of plaques contained the virus, with which most people are infected. It remains dormant in the nervous system, but in 20% to 40% it causes cold sores.
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