US Edition
Herpes Virus Infection Linked to Higher Alzheimer’s Risk, Study Shows Antiherpetic Drugs May Help
- Researchers published a study on May 21, 2025, in BMJ Open linking HSV-1 infection to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in the United States.
- The study examined insurance claims data from 344,628 individuals over the age of 50 who were identified with Alzheimer's disease between 2006 and 2021, using a matched case-control methodology.
- The data indicated that 0.44% of individuals with Alzheimer's had previously been identified with HSV-1 infection, whereas this was true for 0.24% of the control group, reflecting an 80% increase in the odds of developing Alzheimer's among those with a history of HSV-1 after controlling for other factors.
- Among 2,330 HSV-1 cases, those treated with antiherpetic medications had a 17% lower risk of Alzheimer's, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.83 and 95% confidence interval of 0.74 to 0.92.
- The findings establish association but not causation, highlight the need for further research, and suggest antiviral treatments might reduce Alzheimer's risk linked to HSV-1.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
20 Articles
20 Articles
All
Left
7
Center
5
Right
Herpes virus infection linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk, study shows antiherpetic drugs may help
A large US case-control study found that people diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Use of antiherpetic medications was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s in those with HSV-1.
·United States
Read Full Article
MedPage TodayReposted by 
Anti-Aging, Acupuncture and Health News
Anti-Aging, Acupuncture and Health NewsLink Between Viral Infection and Alzheimer's Emerges in New Data
(MedPage Today) -- People diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the virus responsible for cold sores, were more likely to have a subsequent Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, an analysis of U.S. commercial insurance claims suggested...
·New York, United States
Read Full Article
The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Scientists ‘slash risk of Alzheimer’s’ with medicine used to treat cold sores
Researchers made a surprising connection between certain viral diseases and Alzheimer’s
·London, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left7Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Left
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources lean Left
58% Left
L 58%
C 42%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
