2023-04-20 20:01:13
A new study by a group of scientists from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (USA) has shown that some viral infectious diseases are associated with a possible increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers studied antibody levels to five common pathogens (herpes simplex virus type 1, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Toxoplasma gondii parasite) in 575 adults aged 41 to 97 years. Study participants regularly donated blood and took cognitive tests throughout the study period.
Elderly man.© pexels.com
Experts foundthat elevated levels of antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 and to cytomegalovirus were associated with participants’ poorer performance on tests of cognitive ability.
“The idea that common infections can contribute to cognitive decline and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease was once dubious, but because of results like those we got in this study, it is becoming increasingly worthy of attention and scrutiny.” study,” said author Adam Spira, lead author of the study.
Currently, the team is continuing to analyze data from study participants to learn as much detail as possible about the possible link between viral infections and the development of dementia in the future.
Previously, scientists from Harvard Medical School found that being in nature slows down the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
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