21 May 2025 • Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Key Findings:

• Analyzing data from over 344,000 individuals revealed that HSV-1 infection was nearly twice as common among individuals with AD than controls (0.44% vs 0.24%), with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.80.
• HSV-1-positive individuals who received antiherpetic medications had a significantly reduced risk of developing AD (adjusted HR: 0.83), suggesting a potential neuroprotective benefit of antiviral therapy.

These findings add weight to the hypothesis that herpesviruses may play a causal role in AD and underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting viral infections to reduce dementia risk.

Source: BMJ Journals | Read Full Story