Researchers from Cleveland Clinic’s Genome Center have discovered that the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease in aging brains. Their study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, suggests that two FDA-approved drugs could help reverse this effect in lab models.
1.Link Between Herpes Viruses and Alzheimer’s
This study provides the first strong evidence linking herpes viruses, like HSV-1, to Alzheimer’s disease, a connection that was previously debated. Dr. Feixiong Cheng, senior author, believes this finding is a step forward in understanding and preventing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
2.Herpes Viruses: Common and Often Harmless
Most people contract herpes viruses at some point in life, but for most, they remain harmless. Though these viruses can cause mild illnesses, they stay dormant in the body and only cause occasional symptoms like cold sores.
3.Herpes Viruses Become Problematic with Age
As we age, our immune system may lose its ability to keep these viruses suppressed. When the virus becomes active, it can lead to health problems, including complications during pregnancy or even cancer.
4.Herpes Viruses as a Risk Factor for Age-Related Diseases
Dr. Cheng suggests that herpesviruses, especially HSV-1, may be overlooked as a risk factor for age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s. While previous studies have hinted at a connection between HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s, this research helps explain how the virus contributes to the disease.
5.How Herpes May Trigger Alzheimer’s
Dr. Cheng hypothesizes that latent HSV-1 infections can trigger Alzheimer’s by activating “transposable elements,” small pieces of DNA that can disrupt normal gene functions. These elements become more active as we age and may cause problems in the brain.
6.Research Findings: Analyzing Brain Data
The researchers analyzed data from aging brains and identified transposable elements that were more active in brains infected with HSV-1, compared to healthy brains.
7.Testing the Hypothesis: HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s Hallmarks
The researchers tested HSV-1 infected brain cells to see if these transposable elements were activated. They also observed how HSV-1 affects neuroinflammation and the buildup of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s, confirming the link between the virus and the disease.
8.Step-by-Step Process of Alzheimer’s Development
HSV-1 infection becomes active in an aging individual.
The virus activates transposable elements (like LINE-1).
These elements disrupt brain processes, causing the accumulation of proteins (such as Tau) linked to Alzheimer’s.
This accumulation leads to brain inflammation and neurodegeneration.
9.AI Supports the Findings
The team used AI to analyze 80 million health records, finding that patients who took antiviral herpes medications had fewer Alzheimer’s diagnoses. This suggests that antiviral drugs like valacyclovir and acyclovir may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
10.Potential for New Treatments
The study highlights the potential link between HSV-1 and Alzheimer’s, and suggests that antiviral drugs (valacyclovir and acyclovir) could help treat the disease. These drugs reversed Alzheimer’s-related changes in lab models, showing promise for future treatments.
11.Conclusion: Hope for Future Alzheimer’s Treatments
Dr. Cheng hopes this research will lead to new treatments not only for Alzheimer’s but also for other neurological diseases linked to herpesviruses. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, this discovery offers hope for future therapies.
12.Support and Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
Source:Cleveland Clinic
Date:Feb 24,2025
