The shingles vaccine may reduce dementia risk by 20% in older adults, according to a new study from Stanford Medicine, suggesting a potential cause-and-effect relationship.
A recent study from Stanford Medicine indicates that the shingles vaccine could significantly lower the risk of developing dementia among older adults. This research provides the first evidence suggesting a possible cause-and-effect relationship between shingles vaccination and dementia prevention.
According to the findings, older adults who received the shingles vaccine were found to be 20% less likely to develop dementia over a seven-year period compared to those who did not receive the vaccine. Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer, assistant professor of medicine and senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “For the first time, we now have evidence that likely shows a cause-and-effect relationship between shingles vaccination and dementia prevention and treatment.”
The study utilized public health data from Wales, where eligibility for the shingles vaccine, known as Zostavax, was determined by birth date. This unique situation created two nearly identical groups of older adults—those born just before the cutoff who qualified for the vaccine and those born just after who did not. This design allowed researchers to compare dementia rates while minimizing biases typically found in observational studies.
Following an initial analysis conducted in April, researchers delved deeper into the data and discovered that the benefits of the vaccine extended beyond just preventing dementia. Over a nine-year period, individuals who received the vaccine were less likely to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Moreover, those who were vaccinated after receiving a dementia diagnosis had a significantly lower risk of dying from dementia within the following nine years. This suggests that the vaccine may also slow the progression of the disease.
In the follow-up period, nearly half of the Welsh seniors diagnosed with dementia at the start of the vaccination program ultimately died from the condition. In contrast, only 30% of those who had received the vaccine experienced the same fate.
Dr. Geldsetzer noted, “There is a growing body of research showing that viruses that preferentially target your nervous system and hibernate in your nervous system for much of your life may be implicated in the development of dementia.” This includes the chickenpox virus, which remains dormant in the body and can reactivate in older age, leading to shingles. Such reactivation may trigger inflammation in or around the brain, a factor linked to dementia risk, according to experts from the Mayo Clinic.
Preventing viral flare-ups through vaccination could potentially reduce inflammation, thereby lowering the risk of dementia. However, the researchers acknowledged a significant limitation in their study: the health behaviors of vaccinated individuals may differ from those who are unvaccinated. Dr. Geldsetzer pointed out, “We have very little, if any, information on these behaviors in electronic health records or medical claims data.” This lack of data includes crucial factors such as dietary habits and physical activity levels.
Dr. Geldsetzer further emphasized the potential implications of their findings, stating, “If the shingles vaccine really prevents or delays dementia—and, with this new study, also appears to have benefits for those who already have dementia—then this would be a hugely important finding for clinical medicine, population health, and research into the causes of dementia.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to manufacturers of the shingles vaccine for comments regarding the study.
Source: Original article