Can Herpes Contribute To Cognitive Decline?

On:
In: Health Conditions

An estimated 417 million people under age 50 worldwide have the herpes simplex virus. But what does this have to do with cognitive decline? A lot. A study reports that certain chronic viral infections, including the herpes simplex virus, may contribute to cognitive decline in otherwise healthy older adults.

Herpes is an infection caused by a virus. Oral herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, causes sores around the mouth or on the face. Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2, is a sexually transmitted disease that can affect the genitals, buttocks, or anal area. Other herpes infections can affect the eyes, skin, or other parts of the body.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, USA, and published in the journal Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders,  links certain chronic viruses, including the herpes simplex virus type 2, to cognitive decline. The study involved more than 1,000 adults over 65 years of age, assessed annually for any cognitive changes for 5 years.

Cognitive impairment and its relationship with the herpes virus

Cognition is a combination of mental processes that includes the ability to learn new things, intuition, judgment, language, and memory, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When someone experiences cognitive impairment, they often have problems with these processes, which affects their daily life. For example, a person with cognitive impairment may not be able to care for themselves or perform everyday tasks, such as preparing their meals or managing their money, among other actions.

The new study links herpes simplex, a fairly common condition, to cognitive decline. According to the researchers, previous cross-sectional studies have already found an association between exposure to certain viruses and decreased cognitive functioning.

These viruses include cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus 2 (genital herpes), and the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii  (best known as the parasite found in cat feces). Researchers say these viruses may be triggering some neurotoxic effects.

After looking for signs of viral exposure in blood samples, the researchers found that exposure to these viruses is linked to aspects of cognitive decline that are generally thought to be age-related. Notably, while the results provide cause for concern, herpes simplex virus type 1, which is the type of herpes associated with cold sores, was not associated with greater temporary cognitive decline .

The researchers note that their findings are independent of general age-related variables, so the link between the other viruses and cognitive decline is significant.

Prevention of genital herpes

Knowledge of the effects of herpes simplex type 2 and the other two viruses mentioned above on cognitive impairment increases the reasons why it is important to invest in prevention.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that can be transmitted through skin contact or oral or genital fluids (secretions). Although this disease is treatable, it can also be prevented by starting with the use of condoms.

The problem is that a person can have genital herpes long before developing symptoms. A person can show symptoms days after contracting genital herpes. And the intensity of symptoms can also vary, hence the importance of taking preventative measures.

Early warning signs of cognitive decline

We must distinguish between “benign” forgetfulness and cognitive impairment. We must also bear in mind that suffering from mild cognitive impairment is one thing and suffering from dementia is quite another .

People with mild cognitive impairment are more forgetful than normal for their age but do not experience other cognitive problems associated with dementia, such as disorientation in familiar places.

Routine tasks, such as paying bills, shopping, and preparing meals, can be challenging when there is mild cognitive impairment. People with mild cognitive impairment may need more time and make more mistakes. They are generally able to live independently but may be less socially active.

A person is generally considered to have mild cognitive impairment if they meet the following criteria:

  • A friend, family member, doctor, or even the person in question is concerned about a change in his or her memory.
  • The person is experiencing more difficulties in one or more cognitive areas, such as memory, attention, and language, than would be expected for his or her age and educational background. Difficulty learning and retaining new information is more common in patients with mild cognitive impairment who develop Alzheimer’s -related dementia.
  • The person has trouble doing complex tasks, such as paying bills, preparing a meal, or shopping. He or she may take longer, be less efficient, and make more mistakes than in the past. Still, he or she maintains independence with minimal assistance.
  • There is no evidence of significant impairment in social or occupational functioning.
  • There must be objective evidence of progressive cognitive decline over time. Cognitive testing can assess the degree of impairment.

Formal cognitive tests that assess immediate and delayed recall can help identify mild cognitive impairment. Doctors can also assess a person’s cognitive function using informal techniques. In any case, if there is any evidence that makes us suspicious, the first thing to do is to rule out vascular, traumatic, and medical diseases that could explain the decline in basic psychological processes, such as memory.

2024-09-20