This new study found that an episode of shingles is associated with about a 20 percent higher long-term risk of subjective cognitive decline.
A new study led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, found that an episode of shingles is associated with about a 20 percent higher long-term risk of subjective cognitive decline. The study's findings provide additional support for getting the shingles vaccine to decrease risk of developing shingles, according to the researchers.
Previous studies of shingles and dementia have been conflicting. Some research indicates that shingles increases the risk of dementia, while others indicate there's no association or a negative association. In recent studies, the shingles vaccine was associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Researchers don't know the mechanisms that link the virus to cognitive health, but there are several possible ways it may contribute to cognitive decline. There is growing evidence linking VZV to vascular disease, called VZV vasculopathy, in which the virus causes damage to blood vessels in the brain or body. Curhan's group previously found that shingles was associated with higher long-term risk of stroke or heart disease.
"We're evaluating to see if we can identify risk factors that could be modified to help reduce people's risk of developing shingles," Curhan said."We also want to study whether the shingles vaccine can help reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes from shingles, such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline.
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