Brain tissue created in the laboratory has been infected with the herpes virus. A few days later, scientists observed the formation of amyloid plaques, characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Amyloid plaques, signs of Alzheimer’s, appeared on brain tissue infected with the herpes virus
- This laboratory experiment could demonstrate a possible viral origin, in some cases, of the disease
Is Alzheimer’s disease linked to viruses? For several years, the scientific community has wondered about its links with herpes. A research, published in the journal Science Advances, proves that herpes may be responsible for the formation of amyloid plaques, implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers grew brain tissue in the lab and then they introduced the virus. Three days after infection, the plaques began to form.
The appearance of several Alzheimer’s symptoms
“We contacted the presence of large and dense amyloid plaques, as well as an increase in the expression of certain enzymes responsible for their formation”, adds David Kaplan, one of the authors of the study.
At the same time, scientists at Tufts University in the United States have observed other effects of the virus on brain tissue: loss of neurons, impaired functioning of these and inflammation. These symptoms are also present in Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers found that 40 genes usually associated with Alzheimer’s disease were over-expressed in tissues infected with HSV-1, compared to healthy tissues. “Most studies use genetic mutations on neurons to cause the appearance of Alzheimer’s-like phenotypes, adds Dana Cairns, lead author of the study. Our model, which uses normal neurons, allows us to to prove that the herpes virus alone is sufficient to induce an Alzheimer’s disease phenotype.”
The effectiveness of a herpes treatment
Identifying the causes of Alzheimer’s disease is an important issue for scientists, especially since it can help find new avenues of treatment. Dana Cairns’ team wonders about the possibility of treating patients with antivirals, since herpes could be one of the causes of the disease in some cases. In their study, the researchers used valaciclovir to treat these brain tissues. This medicine antiviral is used to treat infections including HSV-1 herpes. It reduced the formation of amyloid plaques and made other symptoms disappear.
Herpes labialis, a widespread disease
According to theWorld Health Organization, 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 were carriers of HSV-1 in 2012. Once contracted, the virus stays in the body for life. Herpes labialis is characterized by the appearance of cold sores, benign but often embarrassing. Creams can cure them in a few days. The use of antiviral drugs is reserved for patients subject to frequent or very significant flare-ups.
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