Herpes simplex infection and the risk of Alzheimer's disease: A nested case-control study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2014.07.157
• Publication Date: 2014-10-09T07:25:59Z
• Authors: Hugo Lövheim; Jonathan Gilthorpe; Anders Johansson; Sture Eriksson; Göran Hallmans; Fredrik Elgh
• Keywords: Nested case-control study; Etiology; Immunoglobulin M

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is thought to play an etiological role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD).Plasma samples from 360 AD cases (75.3% women, mean age 61.2 years) and age- sex-matched dementia-free controls, taken on average 9.6 years before diagnosis, were analyzed for anti-HSV antibodies (immunoglobulin G, IgG, immunoglobulin M, IgM) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.In complete sample group, presence IgG IgM did not increase risk significantly (odds ratio (OR) 1.636, P = .069 OR 1.368, .299, respectively). In with 6.6 or more between plasma sampling diagnosis (n 270), there was a significant association (OR 2.250, .019).Among persons follow-up time more, HSV infection associated AD.