Using human brain tissue in lab dishes, researchers show herpes link to Alzheimer's

[SheltieLover]

https://www.statnews.com/2020/05/06/researchers-show-herpes-link-to-alzheimers/

A small 3D version of the human brain develops key features of Alzheimer’s disease when it is infected with a virus that causes cold sores, scientists reported on Wednesday, adding to the evidence that this most common form of dementia can be caused by a common microbe.

The new research, published in Science Advances, is the first to directly show in a lab model (rather than through circumstantial evidence from human studies) that the herpes simplex virus HSV-1 might cause Alzheimer’s: Human brain-like tissue infected with the virus became riddled with amyloid plaque-like formations — the hallmark of Alzheimer’s. It also developed neuroinflammation and became less effective at conducting electrical signals, all of which happen in Alzheimer’s disease.

“This is a very important paper,” said Dev Devanand, chief of geriatric psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, who was not involved in the study and is leading a clinical trial to see whether antiviral drugs can treat mild Alzheimer’s. The HSV-1 findings “support the role of viruses in Alzheimer’s disease."

More at link.

[LisaL]

1. Well, most of us are doomed then.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Uh oh...all the females in my family have had a history of cold sores.

I heard that a mother can give it to a newborn just by kissing it.

[marybourg]

4. Did any eventually develop Alzheimer's?

[BigmanPigman]

5. My grandmother got dementia at the age of 98

and she lived to be almost 104. I don't think it was classic Alzheimer's though.

[marybourg]

6. Wow. That's pretty good!

[marybourg]

3. My father was very prone to cold sores, but, as of date of death

at 69, had no sign of cognitive decline.

[yardwork]

7. Damn viruses. /nt

[qazplm135]

8. is it me

or does it appear there are multiple links to Alzheimer's?

Feels like there is some underlying common denominator that they are missing, or that there are multiple pathways to creating Alzheimer's.

[SheltieLover]

9. Here is link to Aussie Laser tx info

https://www.australianlaser.com.au/cold-sores/

I'd read about this 20 years ago with very favorable reports.

[tavernier]

10. I had cold sores in my thirties but I froze them with ice

and eventually they never came back. I’d keep ice on my lip for hours off and on but it always did the trick. Very uncomfortable but I think it killed the bugger.

I’m 73 and no Alzheimer’s.

[SheltieLover]

11. Great idea!

Glad it worked for you!

I lived in FL, briefly, some years ago & used to get a cold sore on my lip after being near ocean. I moved & they stopped appearing. I always thought this was strange.

[SharonAnn]

12. They show up with sunburn, even a mild overdose of sun.

[SheltieLover]

13. Thank you

Does the sun activate a dormant virus, then?

[Staph]

14. My mother, sisters and I have suffered from cold sores our entire lives.

Mine seem to be aggravated by stress and too much sun.

Mom is 96 and sharp as a tack. Right now, she's reading a book and watching The Eleventh Hour on MSNBC. She hates Trump!

[SheltieLover]

15. See #9 avove for

Link to Aussie Laser treatment info. 👍

[littlemissmartypants]

17. ❤