Scientists have found a connection between viral infections and the development of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases
Scientists have investigated that Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases were more often diagnosed in patients who suffered viral diseases in severe forms. This is stated in a study published in the American publication Neuron, writes Science Alert. Scientists from the Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias analyzed 500,000 medical records and found 22 links between viral infections and neurodegenerative conditions. “Neurodegenerative disorders are a collection of diseases for which there are very few effective treatments and many risk factors. Our findings support the idea that viral infections and associated inflammation in the nervous system may be common – and perhaps which avoidable risk factors for these types of disorders,” said study co-author neurogeneticist Andrew Singleton. Photo: Amaviael/Depositphotos In patients who had brain inflammation (viral encephalitis), the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease were 31 times higher than in people who did not have this viral disease. Those hospitalized with pneumonia after the flu were found to be more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Intestinal infections and meningitis, as well as the varicella virus that causes shingles, also increased the risk of developing a number of neurodegenerative diseases. The effect of viral infections on the brain in some cases persisted for up to 15 years. And there was not a single case where the disease was a defense. About 80% of the viruses associated with brain diseases were considered “neurotrophic,” meaning they could cross the blood-brain barrier. Researchers emphasize that vaccination against these viral diseases does not prevent all cases, but significantly reduces the rate of hospitalization. Thus, vaccination can reduce a certain risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. This research was inspired by the results of last year’s discovery of the connection between the Epstein-Barr virus and a 32-fold increase in the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. In this way, scientists used the medical records of approximately 35,000 Finns with six different types of neurodegenerative diseases to compare with 310,000 controls who did not have brain diseases. This analysis found 45 links between exposure to viruses and neurodegenerative diseases. But, discarding the excess, the scientists selected 22 connections between the virus and degenerative brain diseases. Subsequently, another 500,000 medical records from Great Britain were analyzed. This study cannot demonstrate a causal relationship, but adds to a number of studies on the role of viruses in the development of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Read also: Patients with COVID-19 remain at increased risk of death for 1.5 years – study
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