Vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria, pneumococcus, and herpes zoster (HZ)- better known as shingles, are linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The corresponding study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections increase the risk of neuroinflammation, which may cause or exacerbate neurodegeneration and dementia. Vaccines may thus reduce neurodegeneration and dementia risk by reducing the risk of infection. Previous research, for example, shows that people who receive at least one influenza vaccine are 40% less likely than unvaccinated peers to develop AD.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends older adults receive vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria and herpes zoster, and pneumococcus. The researchers behind the current study thus sought to see how these common vaccines may affect AD risk.
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