This Seemingly Harmless Condition May Be Linked With Dementia, According to

There are some everyday health concerns that may be mild annoyances at the time, but we rarely think that it could lead to something more serious. One example is a potential link that exists between cold sores and dementia. You wouldn’t think that one would be related to the other, but according to research, there actually could be a connection between the virus that causes cold sores and diminishing brain health.

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What Is Dementia?

“Dementia is the term used to describe the decline in two or more areas of remembering, reasoning, language or spatial skills to a degree that it interferes with a person’s ability to live independently without help,” says Dr. Jagan Pillai, MD, PhD, cognitive neurologist at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland. He also says that dementia can be a result of several underlying causes, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body disease, vascular disease and frontal temporal lobar degeneration.

What Is HSV-1?

When you get a cold sore, which is caused by a virus, there actually is a more clinical term for it. Called HSV-1, otherwise known as oral herpes, Dr. Pillai explains that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common contagious virus that can cause ulcers, often around the mouth, lips and nose.

“Once infected, the viruses can remain in a dormant state in the infected nerve cells for a lifetime,” he adds.

In Older People, Why Does a History of Oral Herpes Double the Risk of Dementia?

A 2024 study reported that an HSV infection may be indicative of doubled dementia risk in the older population (specifically, the participants included over 1,000 70-year-olds). The study found that people with antibodies for HSV-1 had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. Specifically, being seropositive, or having antibodies in one’s blood, for HSV-1 nearly doubled the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Another study breaks it down this way: “Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) is a neuroinvasive virus capable of entering the brain which makes it a candidate pathogen for increasing risk of dementia.” The virus can actually change the brain in a way that makes it susceptible to developing dementia.

Dr. Pillai points out that while some studies report a relationship between a recent infection with, or reactivation of, HSV-1 and dementia, other studies did not show a strong relationship.

“A metanalysis in 2019 concluded that the overall evidence was not definitive, and it supports the need for better quality future studies.”

In other words? Some studies say one thing, while other studies say another. Like many medical findings in today’s world, it requires further study.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Dementia Risk?

The 2024 study concluded that antiviral medications for a herpes infection may mitigate the risk of developing dementia.

More in Health

As Dr. Pillai says, “If you have an active HSV infection, you need to talk to your doctor to treat symptoms with antiviral medications as needed.”

He also notes that to generally prevent dementia, older adults should follow the guidelines put forth by the National Institute on Aging, which include things like controlling high blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping physically active, sleeping well and preventing hearing problems, among other tips.

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Sources

Dr. Jagan Pillai, MD, PhD cognitive neurologist at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease: “Herpes Simplex Viral Infection Doubles the Risk of Dementia in a Contemporary Cohort of Older Adults: A Prospective Study”
Scientific Reports: “Herpes simplex virus 1 and the risk of dementia: a population-based study”
Scientific Reports: “Human herpesvirus infections and dementia or mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis”

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