Protate from the fire of Sant’Antonio and, perhaps, also from the dementia. It is the double benefit suggested by a study published in the magazine Nature: who gets vaccinated against theshingles It has a risk of developing dementia of 20% lower in the seven years following the vaccination.
What is Herpes Zoster
Also known as Fire of Sant’Antonio, Herpes Zoster is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Sleeping in the organism after the childhood infectionthe virus can resume vigor with age or in case of lowering of the immune defenses. One in three people, after 80, will develop the disease.
The link between infections and dementia
The reactivation of the virus triggers inflammatory processes that also affect the brain. Inflammation has long been suspected as a key factor in the development of different forms of dementia. For this reason, For years, any protective role of vaccination against Herpes Zoster has been studied.
The study that confirms the link
The researchers analyzed the data of 280 thousand people in Wales, taking advantage of a particular rule of access to the vaccine that divided the population based on the date of birth. By comparing those who had access to the vaccine with whom not, a reduction in the risk of dementia of 20%were observed. The data was also confirmed by analyzing the death certificates for dementia in England.
Because the vaccine could work
According to the authors of the study, the benefit would derive from the ability of vaccination to contain chronic inflammation. The most marked effects have been observed in women and subjects with autoimmune diseases, categories in which the inflammatory response is often more accentuated. Although today the SHINGRIX vaccine is used, more recent and probably even more effective, the data suggest that the vaccination prevention against Herpes Zoster could represent a concrete strategy to reduce the load of dementia in old age.
If you want to know more, Read here the deepening on the Veronesi Foundation Magazine.
I woman © RESERVED REPRODUCTION