DWQA Questions › Tag: Epstein-Barr viral load
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Many studies over the years have shown evidence of an association between herpesviruses and dementia, suggesting at least some influence on susceptibility or progression, if not frank causation. Interestingly, presence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and another member of the Herpesviridae family, varicella zoster virus (VZV) have been associated with amyloid plaques in the central nervous system and recent evidence shows that amyloid plaques and tao-neurofibrillary tangles, hallmarks of Alzheimer’s pathology, are actually antimicrobial peptides produced by host defense mechanisms. A recent very large case-control study of people with Alzheimer’s showed a highly significant increased history of infection with HSV-1, and HSV-2, or VZV. [Liu, Y, et al. Association between herpes simplex virus type 1 and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: a retrospective case-control study. BMJ Open 2025;15:e093946. Doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093946] Is this case-control study showing greater prevalence of Alzheimer’s in people with a history of herpesvirus infection actually reflecting causation of the dementia by the virus?
ClosedNicola asked 2 weeks ago • 
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Dr. Alan Inglis, in his March, 2026 Newsletter, Nutrition and Health, had an article titled: “Alzheimer’s Disease: The Viral Trigger We’ve Been IGNORING.” It describes research on the association of Alzheimer’s disease and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1). Is this, indeed, at least one viral cause of dementia cases, including Alzheimer’s? What can Creator tell us?
ClosedNicola asked 2 weeks ago • 
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Dr. Inglis points out that HSV-1 is more likely to enter the brain in those who carry the APOE gene. Is having that gene a predisposing factor to viral pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s?
ClosedNicola asked 2 weeks ago • 
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Dr. Inglis describes using Cat’s Claw liposomal extract as a possible preventive measure for Alzheimer’s as the inner bark of this plant species, Uncaria tomentosa, has confirmed antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. He said that a clinical study of a Cat’s Claw cream performed as well as an antiviral cream containing acyclovir for topical treatment of HSV-1 cold sores. Would an oral Cat’s Claw supplement be an effective preventive measure for Alzheimer’s?
ClosedNicola asked 2 weeks ago • 
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I found a single published case report of someone with recurrent periodontal disease who was studied and found to have a high Epstein-Barr viral load subgingivally. Antiviral treatment with Valtrex for a period of 10 days reduced the virus to the detection limit and the periodontal disease improved dramatically. The condition was stable when checked a year later and the virus was still barely detectable. [PT Sunde, et al. Patient with severe periodontitis and subgingival Epstein-Barr virus treated with antiviral therapy. J Clin Virol 2008 Jun;42(2):176-8.] Viral screening is not done routinely for patients with chronic gingivitis. Was this a meaningful example of what could be achieved readily with a shift in thinking by periodontists to try an antiviral in patients, especially those with severe chronic gum disease?
ClosedNicola asked 6 months ago • 
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As has been conjectured by researchers that pathogenic bacteria from chronic gum disease might find their way to the brain and influence or cause dementia, could chronic viruses from inflamed gums seed virus to cause sites of infection not only in brain, but in other organs and tissues, like the cardiovascular system, kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, etc?
ClosedNicola asked 6 months ago • 
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