Herpes immune response linked to Alzheimer's disease

New research has demonstrated a mechanistic link between the immune response to herpesviruses—the family of viruses related to cold sores, childhood infections and mononucleosis—and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

A team of scientists from Cardiff University's School of Medicine, Systems Immunity Research Institute and Dementia Research Institute has shown that herpesvirus infection leads to accelerated cognitive decline and that specific groups of immune cells—T cells—play an important role in increased dementia risk. ...