VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL MEDIA: Alzheimer's disease: mounting evidence that herpes virus is a cause

Press/Media: Research

Description

The herpes virus is known for causing unsightly warts and being incredibly difficult to get rid of.

But it could also be affecting our brains, Professor Ruth Itzhaki has said.

The academic at the University of Manchester said studies have found that anti-viral drugs drastically reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s – the leading cause of dementia – in patients with persistent infections.

Herpes is common and, because there is no cure, it hangs around in the body forever by lying dormant in cells and erupting when the immune system is weakened.

Period19 Oct 2018 → 20 Oct 2018

Media coverage

3

Media coverage

  • TitleCommon Herpes Virus Could Cause 50 Percent of Alzheimer's Disease Cases, Expert Says
    Media name/outletNewsweek
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    Date19/10/18
    DescriptionThe herpes virus, which triggers cold sores, could be the cause of at least half of the cases of Alzheimer’s disease, a leading expert concluded after reviewing existing data on the neurodegenerative condition.

    As many as 3.7 billion people under the age of 50, an estimated 67 percent of the world’s population, have the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), according to the World Health Organization.
    URLhttps://www.newsweek.com/common-herpes-virus-could-cause-50-percent-alzheimers-cases-1171777
    PersonsRuth Itzhaki
  • TitleHerpes linked to half of Alzheimer's cases, leading scientist says
    Media name/outletThe Telegraph
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date19/10/18
    DescriptionThe herpes virus is linked to half of all Alzheimer’s cases, according to new research.

    Leading expert Professor Ruth Itzhaki said recent studies in Taiwan found antiviral drugs drastically reduced the risk of dementia in patients with severe herpes infections.

    This followed a lifetime of evidence that the virus - best known for its role in cold sores - fuels rogue amyloid beta proteins that destroy neurons.

    Prof Itzhaki's review published in Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience raises the distant prospect of a simple, effective preventive treatment for one of the most prevalent serious diseases.
    URLhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/10/19/herpes-linked-half-alzheimers-cases-leading-scientist-says/
    PersonsRuth Itzhaki
  • TitleCold sore virus could be responsible for at least half of all Alzheimer's cases, according to leading expert
    Media name/outletThe Mirror
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date19/10/18
    DescriptionThe virus which causes cold sores could be responsible for at least half of cases of Alzheimer’s disease, a scientist claims.

    A world leading expert in the devastating disease has reviewed population data showing the herpes virus appears to increase the risk.

    If confirmed in clinical trials it would open the door to preventing some dementia cases with a jab or anti-viral medications.

    Professor Ruth Itzhaki, has spent more than 25 years at the University of Manchester investigating the potential link which is hotly debated.
    URLhttps://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/alzheimers-cold-sore-virus-dementia-13444275
    PersonsRuth Itzhaki

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleHerpes virus linked to DEMENTIA, says top doctor
    Media name/outletDaily Star
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date20/10/18
    DescriptionThe herpes virus is known for causing unsightly warts and being incredibly difficult to get rid of.

    But it could also be affecting our brains, Professor Ruth Itzhaki has said.

    The academic at the University of Manchester said studies have found that anti-viral drugs drastically reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s – the leading cause of dementia – in patients with persistent infections.
    URLhttps://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/737704/herpes-virus-dementia-link-taiwan-research-ruth-itzhaki
    PersonsRuth Itzhaki

Keywords

  • herpes
  • Alzheimer's disease