Cold sores may be linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk
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Emerging research suggests a potential connection between the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), the cause of cold sores, and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study published in the journal BMJ Open found that people with Alzheimer’s were twice as likely to have HSV-1 compared to controls. After adjusting for other factors, infection with HSV-1 was associated with an 80% increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. While this study adds to the evidence, it does not provide a conclusive answer, and further research is needed to clarify the connection and explore potential preventive treatments.
Source
Liu, Y., Johnston, C., Jarousse, N., Fletcher, S. P., & Iqbal, S. (2025). Association between herpes simplex virus type 1 and the risk of Alzheimer's disease: a retrospective case-control study. BMJ open, 15(5), e093946. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093946
Additional Reading
https://www.alzra.org/blog/cold-sore-virus-to-a-higher-alzheimers-risk/