2023-11-19 16:12:21
A herpes infection in the genital area can reduce brain substance. This is what researchers at Columbia University in New York found out.
In a correlation study (statistical comparison), they came to the conclusion that an infection might even lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Herpes viruses are widespread. About 70 percent of people are infected with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (mouth blisters). Around 20 percent carry herpes simplex virus type 2, which is noticeable in the genital area.
Researchers at Columbia University have now discovered a connection between the type 2 virus and reduced brain substance.
An infection with it might even lead to Alzheimer’s dementia, they report in the “Journal of Neuroscience”.
Comparing blood samples and brain tests
For their work, the scientists evaluated a long-term observation series of 455 test subjects from Manhattan. At an average age of 70, they underwent an examination in a magnetic resonance tomograph and gave blood samples.
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The result: People who tested positive for HSV-2 had, on average, a thinner cerebral cortex than subjects who were not infected with the virus. The connection remained even when they excluded factors such as level of education or smoking.
Risk of dementia?
The US researchers interpret these results as a sign of accelerated brain aging, which might increase the risk of dementia.
The authors of the correlation study emphasize that it is not yet clear that the HSV-2 virus actually causes dementia.
“Our results suggest that seropositivity (disease detectable in the blood, dR) of herpes simplex virus 2 may contribute to accelerated aging of the brain.”
This might potentially lead to an increased susceptibility to cognitive impairments and nervous system diseases in old age.
The herpes virus
The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) mainly causes infections in the mouth and face (cold sores), while the type 2 virus (HSV-2) mainly affects the genitals (genital herpes). However, both types of viruses can basically occur in all parts of the body. Herpes is transmitted through contact with mucous membranes (genital, anal, oral), through contact with infected skin and through smear infections.
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