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Cited by 125Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchCytomegalovirus and herpesvirus researchHerpesvirus Infections and Treatments

Human herpesvirus infections and dementia or mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Warren-Gash, Charlotte, Forbes, Harriet J., Williamson, Elizabeth, Breuer, Judith, Hayward, Andrew C., Mavrodaris, Angelique, Ridha, Basil H., Rossor, Martin N. +2 more·2019·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-019-41218-wPMC PMC6426940
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Abstract

Interest is growing in the role of infectious agents in the pathogenesis of dementia, but current evidence is limited. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of any of eight human herpesviruses on development of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, Global Health, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, clinical trials registers and grey literature sources from inception to December 2017 for observational studies with cohort, case control or self-controlled designs, or randomised controlled trials of interventions against herpesviruses. Pooled effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated through random effects meta-analyses across studies with the same design, outcome, and virus type, method and site of measurement. We included 57 studies across various geographic settings. Past infection with herpesviruses, measured by IgG seropositivity, was generally not associated with dementia risk. A single cohort study rated moderate quality showed an association between varicella zoster virus reactivation (ophthalmic zoster) and incident dementia (HR 2.97; 95%CI, 1.89 to 4.66). Recent infection with, or reactivation of, herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 1/2 unspecified, cytomegalovirus and human herpes virus-6 measured by serum IgM, high titre IgG or clinical disease may be associated with dementia or MCI, though results were inconsistent across studies and overall evidence rated very low quality. Longitudinal population studies with robust repeated virus measurements taken sufficiently proximal to dementia onset are needed to establish whether, when and among whom herpesviruses affect dementia risk.

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Authors
Warren-Gash, C., Forbes, H. J., Williamson, E., Breuer, J., Hayward, A. C., Mavrodaris, A., Ridha, B. H., Rossor, M. N., Thomas, S. L., & Smeeth, L.
Affiliations
  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
  • University College London (GB)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2019-03-18
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
4743-4743
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-019-41218-w
PMC
PMC6426940
OpenAlex
W2922882016
Cited by
125
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 1
FWCI
2.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Explore Bristol Research (submittedVersion)
  • Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust (201440_Z_16_Z)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
Keywords
human herpesviruses, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, herpes simplex virus type 1, cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6, varicella-zoster virus reactivation, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, herpesvirus reactivation, IgG seropositivity, IgM serology, dementia pathogenesis
MeSH terms
Cytomegalovirus, Dementia, Herpesviridae, Herpesviridae Infections, Humans, Herpesvirus 3, Human, Virus Activation, Cognitive Dysfunction

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