Scientists understood in details how the herpes virus provokes Alzheimer’s disease, accelerating its development. This discovery can help in defense against this severe illness.
The study published in the scientific journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia gives hope for so many patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Almost 30 years ago, it was discovered that in many patients this disease in the brain is much more likely to meet the DNA of the Herpes Herpes VPG-1 virus. Later, Alzheimer’s connection with herpes has been confirmed repeatedly, but how these diseases interact and how one affects the development of the other was incomprehensible. Now the international team of scientists managed to cut this “Gordian Knot.”
Studying samples of the brain of patients who died from Alzheimer’s disease, they confirmed that many of them had a herpes virus. And then they were able to decipher the thin molecular mechanisms with which the herpes virus helps the development of Alzheimer. They are very complex, and it is impossible to understand them with a non -specialist.
How herpes causes Alzheimer’s disease
All this is due to the transposons. This is the name of DNA fragments in genes that are able to activate and “jump” – move inside the genome (the transposition is such a movement – approx. Ed.). So it turned out that the virus of the 1st type of herpes simplex (HSG-1) activates transposons. Moreover, in older people this happens more actively.
The company of scientists established that some transposons, becoming more active, violate key genetic processes in the brain that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. They increase the accumulation of tau-protein, typical of this disease, and also contribute to inflammation and neurodegeneration.
A reason for pessimism or optimism?
It seems like a very sad story, because the herpes virus, sleeping or active from time to time, is in the body of most people. And so they all go under the “Damoclam Sword” by Alzheimer?
The first reason for optimism: as experience shows, not everyone who has such a virus gets sick, far. True, it is not yet clear to whom Alzheimer threatens with herpes virus, but who is not. But from the study it is clear that more risk in the elderly. They are worse than the activity of transposons.
There is a second reason for optimism. After analyzing with the help of artificial intelligence, the data of medical records of 80 million people, scientists have found that from owners of the herpes virus, those who took Acyclovir or Valciclovir were less likely to get Alzigamer. These drugs are treated with herpes.
So, they may become drugs for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. True, in order to finally prove this, additional clinical trials are needed. But the hope that the drugs will be effective is quite high.
Source: aif.ru