Getting vaccinated against illnesses like shingles and pneumonia could potentially reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The study found that individuals who received vaccines for shingles, pneumonia, tetanus, and diphtheria had up to a 30% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. The findings were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
The research followed patients aged 65 and older for eight years, who did not have dementia in the prior two years. They compared vaccinated and unvaccinated groups for each vaccine, looking at the occurrence of Alzheimer’s diagnoses. The study revealed that those who received the Tdap vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis were 30% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Additionally, individuals who received the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against bacteria that can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, demonstrated a 27% lower chance of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The shingles vaccine was linked to a 25% reduced risk.
These findings support the previous research conducted by the same team, which demonstrated that individuals who received at least one influenza vaccine had a 40% lower rate of Alzheimer’s compared to their unvaccinated peers. The researchers believe that the association between vaccines and decreased Alzheimer’s risk is a result of a heightened immune response to amyloid plaques or their precursors.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon, reviewed the study’s findings and suggested that the vaccines may improve immune system surveillance and clearance of amyloid plaques from the brain, thus slowing the onset of the disease. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, emphasized that while this study shows an association, it does not prove that the vaccines directly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. However, there is growing evidence supporting the idea that regular vaccines are associated with decreased Alzheimer’s risk. Siegel hypothesized that vaccines prime the immune system to target neuro-inflammation and abnormal proteins associated with Alzheimer’s.
The study authors believe that these findings highlight the importance of adults having access to vaccinations as a more cost-effective means of preventing dementia. Currently, more than six million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s disease, with estimates predicting nearly 13 million diagnoses by 2050.
While the approval of anti-amyloid antibody medications by the FDA has expanded the field of Alzheimer’s treatment, these medications require costly infrastructure for safe administration. On the other hand, adult vaccinations are widely available and already part of routine vaccination schedules.
Although the study suggests a potential link between vaccines and reduced Alzheimer’s risk, further research is necessary to fully understand the relationship. Nonetheless, these findings provide hope for a future where preventative measures like vaccinations can contribute to reducing the burden of Alzheimer’s disease.