Common viral infection can trigger Alzheimer's, shock new research suggests - raising hope that a cheap, widely available drug could prevent deadly disease
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A 'harmless' virus carried by half of all adults could raise the risk of Alzheimer's, shock research suggested today. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), which causes a cold-like illness, can be spread in the same way as other viruses from person to person through body fluids such as blood, saliva and urine.
![[Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. The disease can cause anxiety, confusion and short-term memory loss]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/11/75631113-14209537-Alzheimer_s_disease_is_the_most_common_cause_of_dementia_The_dis-a-1_1734608154147.jpg)
But the infection is present in up to 45 per cent of Alzheimer's cases, US scientists have claimed. Some people exposed to the bug may develop a chronic intestinal infection, allowing it to enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain. Here, it is recognised by the brain's immune cells — microglia — the researchers say, helping to contribute to the biological changes involved in Alzheimer's.
![[Around 900,000 Brits are currently thought to have the memory-robbing disorder. But University College London scientists estimate this will rise to 1.7million within two decades as people live longer. It marks a 40 per cent uptick on the previous forecast in 2017]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/12/77039039-14209537-Around_900_000_Brits_are_currently_thought_to_have_the_memory_ro-a-3_1734609625787.jpg)
The scientists, who labelled the findings 'exciting', hope the research could pave the way to confirming whether common antiviral drugs used to treat CVM may help prevent this form of the memory-robbing illness. They cautioned, however, that simply coming into contact with the virus — which happens to almost everyone — should not be cause for concern.
The infection only appears to be associated with Alzheimer's when it is found in the brain. NICE also said it had identified 27 other drugs which it 'expects to be asked to evaluate over the next few years'. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. The disease can cause anxiety, confusion and short-term memory loss.
To date, no single illness yet has also consistently been linked to the disease. Dr Ben Readhead, study co-author and associate professor in neurodegenerative diseases at Arizona State University, said: 'We think we found a biologically unique subtype of Alzheimer's that may affect 25 per cent to 45 per cent of people with this disease.'.
