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Once considered an inevitability of old age for some, the researchers now note that in many cases, dementia is avoidable. Known interventions to reduce your risk of dementia includeexercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, quit smoking,give up alcohol (or drink in moderation), maintain healthy blood pressure and deal with other underlying conditions. Now, a new study has revealed another factor that can influence the risk of dementia: if you have been infected with a common set of related viruses. Read the continuation to learn how to reduce your risk by avoiding this particular pair of diseases for better brain health as you age.

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Researchers at TUFTS University and the University of Oxford have publishedAn important discovery This month in theJournal of Alzheimer's Disease. Using a 3D human tissue culture model, they have shown that the herpes Simplex (HSV) virus can, in certain circumstances, trigger Alzheimer's disease - the most common form of dementia. In particular, they identified the HSV-1, the type of herpes Simplex which causes oral herpes, as responsible for the initiation of the beginning of certain cases of dementia.

However, the HSV-1 virus does not act alone. Researchers say that people infected with herpes Simplex were no longer likely to develop Alzheimer's disease only when they are also infected with the Varicella Zoster (VZV) virus, a second herpes virus that generally causes chickenpox and shingles. Researchers say that the presence of the second virus can "activate" herpes Simplex "to trigger the early stages of Alzheimer's disease".

Read this then:If your writing looks like this, you may have an Alzheimer's disease early.

Although researchers have explored the correlation between HSV-1 and Alzheimer for decades, this new study describes the "sequence of events that viruses create to put the disease in motion", describing it as a "punch "Viral infections".

"Our results suggestA way to Alzheimer's disease, caused by a VZV infection that creates inflammatory triggers that awaken the HSV in the brain, "Dana Cairns, PHD, a tufts researcher and co-author of the study, said through the press release. "Although we have demonstrated a link between activation VZV and HSV-1, it is possible that other inflammatory events in the brain can also awaken the HSV-1 and lead to Alzheimer's disease."

The authors of the study add that, generally, the HSV is sleeping in the brain, "but when activated, it leads to the accumulation of tau and amyloid beta proteins, and the loss of the neural function - characteristics of Signature found in patients with Alzheimer's. "

If it seems unlikely that a person can contract the two viruses, consider the infection rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that3.7 billion people under 50- or 67% of people in this age group - were infected with HSV -1, but the majority of these cases are asymptomatic. The zona chickenpox virus is also crawling. The study authors note that 95% of people are infected with the VZV before the age of 20, causing chickenpox or shingles. Like the HSV -1, the VZV can also be sleeping - in this case in the nerve cells.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

However, it is important to note that this combination of viruses does not trigger dementia if they cause a particular inflammatory response. "The link between HSV-1 and Alzheimer's disease only occurs when HSV-1 has been reactivated to cause wounds, blisters and other painful inflammatory conditions," note the authors of the study.

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The repeated activation of the HSV-1 leads to an increase in brain inflammation, plaque productions and cognitive damage resulting in dementia. Experts now suggest that you may be able to reduce the risk of dementia by freeing yourself against VZV, preventing reactivation.

A second 2022 study published in the journalAlzheimer's and dementia: Translational research and clinical interventions corroborates this assertion . "We have analyzed the Association of Vaccination against Zona with incident dementia in people vaccinated in Wales between 2013 and 2020 in an observation cohort study by using national health data collectedly collected," wrote researchers. "People exposed to the vaccine had a reduction in the diagnosis of reduced dementia of 39% after vaccination," they concluded.

However, the VZV may not be the only catalyst that could reactivate the sleeping HSV. "It is always possible that other infections and other ways of effect can lead to Alzheimer's disease, and risk factors such as cranial trauma, obesity or alcohol consumption suggest that they Can meet in the re -emergence of the HSV in the brain, "Cairns said, via the press release.

Talk to your doctor to find out more about how you can reduce the risk of dementia.