Herpes Virus Might Drive Alzheimer's Pathology, Study Suggests
University of Pittsburgh researchers uncovered a surprising link between Alzheimer’s disease and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), suggesting that viral infections may play a role in the disease. The study results were published Jan. 2, 2025, in Cell Reports.
The study also revealed how tau protein, often viewed as harmful in Alzheimer’s, might initially protect the brain from the virus but contribute to brain damage later. These findings could lead to new treatments targeting infections and the brain’s immune response.
“Our study challenges the conventional view of tau as solely harmful, showing that it may initially act as part of the brain’s immune defense,” said senior author Or Shemesh, above, assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Pitt. “These findings emphasize the complex interplay between infections, immune responses and neurodegeneration, offering a fresh perspective and potential new targets for therapeutic development.”
The scientists identified forms of HSV-1-related proteins in Alzheimer’s brain samples, with greater amounts of viral proteins colocalized with tangles of phosphorylated tau—one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s pathology—in brain regions especially vulnerable to Alzheimer’s across disease stages.
