Causal evidence that herpes zoster vaccination prevents a proportion of dementia cases.

ABSTRACT: The root causes of dementia are still largely unclear, and the medical community lacks highly effective preventive and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for dementia despite large investments into their development. There is growing interest in the question if infectious agents play a role in the development of dementia, with herpesviruses attracting particular attention. To provide causal as opposed to merely correlational evidence on this question, we take advantage of the fact that in Wales eligibility for the herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax) for shingles prevention was determined based on an individual's exact date of birth. Those born before September 2 1933 were ineligible and remained ineligible for life, while those born on or after September 2 1933 were eligible to receive the vac

SUBMITTER: Eyting M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10246135 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature