A new study published in Nature has found that receiving the live-attenuated shingles vaccine may lower the risk of dementia by 20%, with further research needed to confirm this finding.
A new study published in Nature has found that receiving the live-attenuated shingles vaccine may lower the risk of dementia. The researchers, led by epidemiologist Pascal Geldsetzer at Stanford University, analyzed data from a Welsh vaccination program and found a 20 percent relative reduction in dementia risk among those who received the vaccine.
The shingles vaccine is designed to protect against herpes zoster, a viral infection that causes shingles.
According to the CDC, over 1 million people in the US develop shingles each year.
The vaccine is available for adults aged 50 and older, with two doses recommended for those under 60.
Studies show that the vaccine reduces the risk of shingles by 90% and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) by 78%.
Common side effects include 'redness' , 'swelling' , and 'pain' at the injection site.
The study compared individuals born before and after September 2, 1933, when the live-attenuated shingles vaccine became available. The researchers tracked dementia diagnoses for over 280,000 individuals and found that those born just before the eligibility cutoff date had a higher probability of being diagnosed with dementia than those born just after.
Dementia is a broad term describing a decline in cognitive function, including memory loss, difficulty with communication, problem-solving, and judgment.
It affects approximately 55 million people worldwide, with numbers expected to triple by 2050.
The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
While there is no cure for dementia, research focuses on developing treatments to manage symptoms and slow progression.
The study suggests that vaccination against shingles may curb dementia risk by preventing shingles infections, which have been linked to dementia development. However, further research is needed to confirm this finding and explore potential mechanisms by which the vaccine affects the immune system.
Shingles Vaccine Benefits
While previous studies suggested a link between shingles vaccination and lower dementia risk, these comparisons can introduce bias. The Welsh study’s focus on the live-attenuated vaccine, which was discontinued in the US in 2020, may limit its implications.
The Shingles vaccination, also known as herpes zoster vaccination, is a preventive measure against shingles and its complications.
The vaccine works by boosting the body's immune system to fight off the varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people aged 50 and older should get vaccinated with two doses of Shingrix, which is the recommended vaccine.
Shingrix has been shown to be 85-90% effective in preventing shingles and its complications.
However, clinical data scientist Maxime Taquet at the University of Oxford notes that the live-attenuated vaccine remains relevant: it is still produced in other parts of the world, requires just one shot instead of two, and is cheaper to manufacture. The study’s findings also suggest that vaccination against shingles may have an additional benefit for women, who are more likely to experience a decline in dementia risk.
Future Research Directions
Taquet believes that future studies should focus on the recombinant shingles vaccine, which has been shown to lower dementia risk in another study. While the live-attenuated vaccine’s effect is still relevant, further research is needed to confirm its benefits and explore potential mechanisms by which it affects the immune system.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of vaccination programs in reducing the risk of dementia. As the global population ages, understanding the relationship between shingles vaccination and dementia risk will be crucial for public health initiatives aimed at preventing this devastating disease.
- sciencenews.org | A shingles vaccine may also help reduce dementia risk
