A recent study published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy examined the long-term subjective cognitive decline risk associated with Herpes zoster infections. It investigated whether the association varied based on apolipoprotein E e4 ( APOE ε4) gene carrier status, immunocompromised conditions, and vaccination against herpes zoster. Study: Herpes zoster and long-term risk of subjective cognitive decline .
Image Credit: chemical industry/Shutterstock.com Background Cognitive decline related to age is becoming a substantial global health burden in this rapidly aging world population, and the efficient management of cognitive decline requires a thorough understanding of its risk factors. Studies indicate that herpesvirus infections can impact cognitive decline risk and contribute to dementia.
Commonly referred to as shingles, herpes zoster occurs when the neurotrophic varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox , gets reactivated. Varicella-zoster virus contains double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as its genetic material and, after the initial infection, remains in the ganglionic neurons in a latent stage in over 95% of the infected individuals. The reactivation of the virus in the ganglia and its spread to dermatomes causes herpes zoster.
The neuroinflammation, neuronal damage, and cerebral vasculopathy that occur with herpes zoster are believed to increase the risk of dementia. Some studies have also associated herpes zoster with an increased risk of Alzheimer's.