Herpes Virus Linked to Alzheimer’s Development in Old Age. Experts explain the connection—and if it’s something you should worry about. By Kayla Blanton Published: Jun 09, 2025 8:30 AM EDT.

A recent study highlights the growing evidence linking the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) with Alzheimer’s disease, showing that antiviral medications reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 17%.

Could common viruses silently influence your brain health? Discover what new research reveals about herpes and dementia.

Of the groups studied, 1,507 people with Alzheimer’s also had herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is the most common cause of cold sores. Only 823 people in the control group had HSV-1.

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 ...

Widespread Reach of Herpes Virus Raises Concern . A variety of infectious agents have been suspected to contribute to Alzheimer's disease, with herpes simplex virus 1 being the most thoroughly ...

Compared with flu vaccine recipients, those given the RSV or shingles vaccine had 18% to 37% lower odds of receiving a ...

Viruses are entirely dependent on their hosts to reproduce. They ransack living cells for parts and energy and hijack the ...

Herpes simplex virus 1 DNA has been detected in Alzheimer’s disease brain plaques, and individuals carrying the ApoE ε4 gene variant — the most common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s ...