Published on: May 31, 2025
The research was conducted by Gilead Sciences Inc., an American biopharmaceutical company, in collaboration with Christine Johnston, MD, MPH, a professor in the Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at UW Medicine.
Using a large U.S. database of administrative medical claims, the researchers found that individuals diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia later in life. Notably, those who had received antiviral treatment for HSV-1 had a lower likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s than those who had not received such treatment.
What stands out to me most about this study is that it aligns with previous findings from other countries,” said Johnston. “Similar trends have been observed in claims data from Taiwan, France, and Sweden—not only in linking HSV-1 to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, but also in showing a reduced risk among those treated with antiherpetic medications.”
The team analyzed ICD-10 diagnostic codes from the database, identifying 344,628 matched pairs of Alzheimer’s patients and control subjects, with an average age of 73. Among those with Alzheimer’s, 1,507 individuals (0.44%) had a documented HSV-1 infection, compared to 823 (0.24%) in the control group. While the general risk of Alzheimer’s for people aged 65 and older is approximately 10.8%, participants in the study with HSV-1 infections faced a significantly higher risk of 19.8%.
Similar associations were also observed for other viruses, including herpes simplex virus type 2 (which causes genital herpes) and varicella-zoster virus (which causes shingles).
Researchers also reviewed prescription records for antiviral medications used to treat HSV-1. Among the 2,330 individuals with a history of HSV-1, 931 (about 40%) had taken medication for their symptoms. This group was found to be 17% less likely to receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis compared to those who had not taken antivirals.
However, the study has its limitations. Claims data lack detailed clinical information, including the severity and confirmation of HSV-1 diagnoses. Many people with herpes infections experience mild or no symptoms, and the study only included individuals who sought medical attention for their condition.
These results suggest a need for well-designed prospective studies to explore the associations we’re consistently seeing across different populations, Johnston emphasized. Such studies, which follow people over time, would help clarify how HSV-1 infection may influence Alzheimer’s risk and identify which groups might benefit most from early interventions.
Source: https://depts.washington.edu/mbwc/news/article/herpes-virus-alzheimers
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