Herpes simplex infection and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: A nested case-control study
Abstract
Background Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is thought to play an etiological role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Plasma samples from 360 AD cases (75.3% women, mean age 61.2 years) and 360 age- and sex-matched dementia-free controls, taken on average 9.6 years before AD diagnosis, were analyzed for anti-HSV antibodies (immunoglobulin G, IgG, and immunoglobulin M, IgM) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results In the complete sample group, the presence of anti-HSV IgG and IgM antibodies did not increase the risk of AD significantly (odds ratio (OR) 1.636, P = .069 and OR 1.368, P = .299, respectively). In cases with 6.6 years or more between plasma sampling and AD diagnosis (n = 270), there was a significant association between presence of anti-HSV IgG antibodies and AD (OR 2.250, P = .019). Conclusion Among persons with a follow-up time of 6.6 years or more, HSV infection was significantly associated with AD.
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IgM levels appear to be a more accurate predictor than IgG levels.
“For example, IgM levels appears to be a more accurate predictor than IgG levels [27,31,32].”
From What would it take to prove that a chronic infection is a causal agent in Alzheimer’s disease? (2025) · cites this paper as [31]
Several studies have failed to detect a relationship between HSV-1 seropositivity/titers and AD/cognitive functioning.
“Additionally, several studies have failed to detect a relationship between HSV-1 seropositivity/titers and AD/cognitive functioning [30,31].”
From What would it take to prove that a chronic infection is a causal agent in Alzheimer’s disease? (2025) · cites this paper as [31]
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- Authors
- Lövheim, H., Gilthorpe, J., Johansson, A., Eriksson, S., Hallmans, G., & Elgh, F.
- Affiliations
- Umeå University (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Lövheim, Hugo
- Venue
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-06
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 587-592
- ISSN
- 1552-5260 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2042664126
- Cited by
- 136
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 5.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Alzheimer s & Dementia (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Västerbottens Läns Landsting
- Kempe Foundations
- Swedish Medical Association
- Swedish Dementia Association
- Trolle-Wachtmeister Foundation
- Dementia Fund
- Swedish Alzheimer Fund
- Stohne Foundation
- Umeå University Foundation
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Keywords
- herpes simplex virus, Alzheimer's disease
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Antibodies, Viral, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Herpes Simplex, Humans, Immunoglobulin G, Immunoglobulin M, Male, Middle Aged, Risk, Logistic Models, Case-Control Studies, Simplexvirus
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