New Study Reveals Shingles Vaccine Could Help Slow Dementia Progression – What You Need to Know

The shingles vaccine does more than just protect against a painful rash; recent studies suggest it might also slow dementia progression. Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, affects about one in three Americans at some point. As we age, our risk increases, which is why adults aged 50 and older are encouraged to get vaccinated.

Current research indicates that the shingles vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles in older adults. Excitingly, new findings reveal that this vaccine may also reduce the risk of dementia. A study published in Cell points to its potential therapeutic role, suggesting it might lower the chances of dying from dementia.

“We see an effect on your probability of dying from dementia among those who already have dementia,” says Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer from Stanford University, the study’s senior author. He emphasizes that the vaccine may serve both preventive and therapeutic roles, bringing unexpected benefits for those already dealing with dementia.

This research isn’t an isolated case. Earlier findings indicated that shingles vaccination could delay or prevent dementia. Researchers analyzed health records in Wales, where a shingles vaccination program began for older adults in 2013. They discovered that those who received the vaccine had a 3.5% lower chance of being diagnosed with dementia over seven years compared to those who missed out due to age restrictions.

The accuracy of these findings is bolstered by the comparison of groups that are nearly identical except for their vaccination status. According to Geldsetzer, both groups had similar lifestyles, so the differences in dementia diagnoses could more confidently be attributed to vaccination.

In a follow-up study, researchers looked at over 282,500 adults in Wales, examining both the emergence of mild cognitive impairment and the mortality rates from dementia among vaccinated individuals. They found that receiving the shingles vaccine reduced the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment by 3.1 percentage points over nine years. The benefits seemed to be greater for women.

Crucially, those already living with dementia who got vaccinated saw an impressive 29.5 percentage point reduction in their risk of dying from the disease. “It seems to have benefits throughout the entire course of the disease,” Geldsetzer notes.

So, what mechanisms might link the shingles vaccine to these positive outcomes? Geldsetzer offers two theories. First, the virus that causes shingles may lead to ongoing inflammation in the nervous system—an issue linked to chronic conditions like dementia. Second, vaccination may enhance overall immune responses, helping the body fend off infections known to elevate dementia risks.

“Vaccines can activate the immune system in broader ways beyond just creating antibodies,” Geldsetzer explains. This larger immune support may have protective effects regarding dementia development.

Researchers are now seeking to conduct a clinical trial to further explore this connection. Dr. Angelina Sutin from Florida State University highlights that while this new study is promising, questions about why the vaccine has these effects remain unaddressed. She suggests that it’s wise to discuss vaccinations with healthcare providers as part of maintaining cognitive health as we age.

However, Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at NYU Langone, cautions that results might not apply to the newer shingles vaccine that’s now widely used. “These findings are promising but need more investigation to determine why this connection exists and whether all vaccines yield the same benefits.”

Overall, the evidence is building that the shingles vaccine could be more valuable than we initially thought—not only for preventing shingles but possibly for safeguarding cognitive health as well.

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