Cold sore virus linked to Alzheimer’s disease

A recent paper, published in the Journal of Pathology, by researchers at the University of Manchester, has found a link between cold sores and Alzheimer’s disease. The authors suggest that the virus that causes cold sores (herpes simplex virus type 1) is a major cause of amyloid plaques and is probably a significant factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. They suggest the use of antiviral agents to treat the disease, and possibly of vaccination to prevent it.  

Reference:

MA Wozniak, AP Mee and RF Itzhaki. Herpes simplex virus type I DNA is located within Alzheimer’s disease amyloid plaques. The Journal of Pathology, 2008; 217 (1): 131-138.

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