Herpes Infections and Dementia: Rebutting Alternative Fact

Richard Lathe, Nian-Sheng Tzeng, Ruth Itzhaki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Recent commentary in Neurotherapeutics by Nath critically addresses the earlier report by Tzeng et al. that aggressive antiviral treatment (AVT) against herpes simplex virus (HSV) was associated with a later decrease in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nath raises issues that we respond to: we point out that (i) the treated group (probably with severe infection) is likely to harbor genetic risk alleles that predispose to both AD and HSV infection-the potential treatment bias cited by Nath would support (rather than challenge) the preventive effect of AVT; (ii) HSV is well known to establish persistent infection in the brain; and (iii) current AVT compounds used to combat herpes viruses are highly specific for this class of viruses. Instead of "alternative fact," the findings of Tzeng et al. argue in favor of clinical trials of AVT in AD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)176-179
Number of pages4
JournalNeurotherapeutics. The journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019

Keywords

  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Cohort Studies
  • Herpes Simplex
  • Humans
  • Taiwan

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