DWQA Questions › Tag: host defense mechanismsFilter:AllOpenResolvedClosedUnansweredSort byViewsAnswersVotesMany 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 4 hours ago • Extraterrestrial Interlopers4 views0 answers0 votes