The link between a chronic gut infection caused by a common virus and the development of Alzheimer’s disease has been identified by researchers at Arizona State University and the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. The relevant research was published in the journal “Alzheimer’s & Dementia”.
It’s cytomegalovirus, one of the nine herpes viruses that most people are thought to be exposed to during their first decades of life. According to research, in some people the virus can remain in an active state in the gut and travel to the brain via the vagus nerve, which connects the gut to the brain. Once there, the virus can alter the immune system and contribute to other changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers point out, however, that simple contact with the virus, which happens to almost everyone, should not be a cause for concern, as the virus was only detected in a subset of people. Now, they are developing a blood test to identify people who have an active cytomegalovirus infection, and their next goal is to examine whether existing antiviral drugs could treat or prevent this form of Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers note that the study demonstrates the potential impact that infections can have on brain health and neurodegeneration. However, they add that independent studies are needed to test their findings.
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