Alzheimer’s disease can have a significant impact not only on those suffering from this disease, but also on their loved ones. Approximately 6.2 million Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease, a number that could increase to 13.8 million by 2060. As there is currently no cure, scientists continue to research new therapies and ways to protect cognitive health with age.
A new study from UTHealth Houston found that people who received the flu vaccine at least once were 40% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease for several years than those who were not vaccinated.
To better understand the link between these results and influenza vaccination and Alzheimer’s disease, we consulted with several doctors.
Relationship between influenza vaccination and Alzheimer’s disease
We all hope that we have a better understanding of the causes, treatments and preventive strategies for Alzheimer’s disease, but this type of research needs to be carefully considered.
The idea that influenza vaccines (or other vaccines) prevent Alzheimer’s disease raises healthy skepticism. Allison Wraith, MD, Director of Inflammation Research Institute, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, NYU Langone Hospital — explains Long Island and Associate Professor of NYU Long Island School of Medicine. In this study, the authors accessed a huge database of older insureds and looked back (retrospectively) whether they had been vaccinated against the flu and whether they had dementia.
Related: New research and interventions give us good news about Alzheimer’s disease in 2022
Researchers used diagnostic codes for analysis and collected large amounts of data, but did not use detailed or personal records or neurological assessments. Since they assumed dementia to be Alzheimer’s disease, a significant number of cases would have been dementia due to causes other than Alzheimer’s disease. They also did not try to figure out the number of influenza vaccinations a person received during the study period (only once a year).
They tried to explain as many confounding factors as possible (those that could distort the results), but in the end there is plenty of room for error and false associations, Dr. Reiss adds. This study shows that there may be a link between influenza vaccines and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but this cannot be said to be the cause and effect, and it may explain the reasons for the link. you can’t. They correctly explain the need for further (preferably positive) research.
Understanding the immune system and Alzheimer’s disease
The authors of the study also point out that the immune system is complex and that certain health conditions, such as pneumonia, can affect it in ways that exacerbate Alzheimer’s disease. However, other factors that affect the immune system can actually help protect people from this neurocognitive impairment.
“Since we look at patients with Alzheimer’s disease every day, we know that many things that activate the immune system make them worse. Urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and fractures are common examples.” I have. Dr. Paul E. Schultz, UTHealth Houston Neurologist. “After AD patients recover, they may or may not return to baseline thinking.”
As a result of these observations in AD patients, Dr. Schultz said he was worried about the patient undergoing surgery, and because flu can be fatal as he gets older, he gives the flu vaccine. It states that it is better to inoculate.
However, Dr. Schultz initially explained that he believed that the inflammation caused by vaccination could theoretically exacerbate them. Like pneumonia. “I was very surprised to find that influenza vaccination helps reduce the risk of AD rather than increase it,” he says. “From this result, we speculate that some factors may turn on the immune system in a way that is potentially harmful to AD patients, as seen in infectious diseases.”
Related: 15 Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
On the other hand, other operations that activate the immune system, especially influenza vaccination, appear to have the opposite effect, such as reducing the risk of AD. The way the immune system is activated is clearly very important, but it’s not really clear how these two situations differ. As a result, the results are very different, explains Dr. Schulz.
It is important to understand these differences.
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Once you understand why an infection worsens the outcome, you have the opportunity to intervene to prevent it. And if vaccination discovers how it can help reduce the risk of AD, Dr. Schultz adds, perhaps by directly stimulating that pathway to further reduce the risk of AD.
“Acute neuroinflammation (brain inflammation) in response to toxins and injuries can be part of a neuroprotective repair process in Alzheimer’s disease and other types of brain injuries.” Dr. Reiss said. “Microglia, or immune cells in the brain, may be involved in clearing damaged neurons.”
However, neuroinflammation (though not the cause of Alzheimer’s disease) is part of the destructive process of chronic and long-standing Alzheimer’s disease. This is similar to the formation of scar tissue suitable for wound repair, but overgrowth and loss of control of scar tissue can lead to restricted movement and damage to organs. Dr. Reiss explains.
Related: What do cholesterol and blood sugar levels in your 30s mean for your future risk of dementia?
What this study tells us about the future of Alzheimer’s disease research
This study shows how to use the medical information collected to find clues about Alzheimer’s disease and other medical conditions.
“Carefully use the information gathered from big data to follow up on rigorously controlled prospective studies as ethically as possible to get clearer answers and true causality, mechanisms, and possibilities. We need to clarify. A new preventive / therapeutic approach, ”says Dr. Reiss.
“Understanding the role of the immune system in AD has become very important in ways we didn’t expect,” says Dr. Schultz. “Understanding how influenza vaccines can significantly reduce the risk of AD has also moved us to the top of our priority list. Nothing else reduces the risk of AD by 40%. Take advantage of this finding. Is essential. “
Dr. Schultz and his research team have begun investigating the effects of other vaccinations, combining influenza vaccination with herpes zoster (such as Shingrix) or pneumonia vaccine (such as pneumonia) to see if other vaccinations work. By that, advertising.
Factors that may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease
Learning the causes of Alzheimer’s disease is an important step in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Correctable factors that may be important in delaying or preventing Alzheimer’s disease include a balanced diet, blood sugar and blood pressure control, physical activity, refraining from excessive alcohol intake, and avoiding head injuries. And so on, “says Dr. Reiss.
Be aware of the cardiovascular system, as a healthy brain needs a healthy heart and circulatory system. Many people avoid excessive sun exposure for health reasons, and Covid’s pandemic kept people indoors for long periods of time, which led to many vitamin D deficiencies.
This is often overlooked, but it is easy to treat with foods and supplements rich in vitamin D. “I generally believe that it’s best to get vitamins from foods rather than tablets, but vitamin D is one possible exception,” Dr. Reiss adds.
Finding the “cause” of AD was difficult, Dr. Schultz explains. But we know many factors that increase or decrease the risk of getting it:
- Physical exercise has been agreed by most researchers to help reduce risk. About 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times a week seems to be sufficient to see the changes.
- It has been agreed that mental exercise is also beneficial. Everyone who studied has helped me, so I don’t recommend any particular ones. I recommend anything you like. Examples include discussing politics, doing crossword puzzles, and playing sudoku.
- Cardiovascular risk factors that we all know are also generally agreed to accelerate or slow the progression of AD, depending on whether we deal with it. This includes diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides (blood fat), and high blood pressure.
- Long-term depression can be at risk and should be treated.
- PTSD also seems to double the risk of AD.
Next Steps: Maria Shriver’s Important Brain-boosting Tips — And Why She Expects to Study Alzheimer’s Disease
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- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia: “Facts and figures of Alzheimer’s disease in 2021”
- UTHealth Houston: “UT Health Houston Study: Influenza Vaccination Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease by 40%”
- Dr. Allison Rice, Director of Inflammation Research Institute, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, NYU Langone Hospital — Associate Professor of Long Island and NYU Long Island School of Medicine
- Dr. Paul E. Schulz, Neurologist at UTHealth Houston
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