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HSV-1

·May 21, 2025·4 min read

Cold Sore Virus Linked to Alzheimer’s, Antivirals May Lower Risk

A large study suggests that symptomatic infection with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)—best known for causing cold sores—may significantly raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that people with HSV-1 were 80% more likely to have Alzheimer’s, while those treated with antiviral medications had a 17% lower risk.

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·March 15, 2025·4 min read

Herpes Virus Linked to Long-Term Brain and Neurological Problems

A new study reveals that herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), commonly known for causing cold sores, can travel through the nasal cavity directly to the brain, causing severe and lasting neurological symptoms. In animal experiments, nasal HSV-1 infection led to persistent neurological dysfunction, including anxiety and cognitive impairment.

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·January 2, 2025·4 min read

Link Between Cold Sore Herpes Virus and Alzheimer’s Discovered

Researchers discovered a connection between Alzheimer’s disease and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), suggesting viral infections may contribute to neurodegeneration. The study found that tau protein, typically seen as harmful in Alzheimer’s, might initially protect the brain from the virus but later exacerbate damage.

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·November 1, 2024·4 min read

Cold Sore Virus’s Path in Brain Revealed

Research has shown that HSV-1, the virus responsible for cold sores, can spread into specific areas of the brain and may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Mapping HSV-1’s path reveals it targets regions crucial for functions like sleep, movement, and mood regulation.

This shows a brain surrounded by the different herpesviruses

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 29, 2022·6 min read

Chickenpox Virus May Trigger the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease

Varicella zoster virus (VZV), the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles, may activate the herpes simplex virus and trigger the onset of Alzheimer's disease, a new mouse study found.

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·September 13, 2021·5 min read

Study Finds Evidence of Possible Link Between Herpes Simplex and Neurogenerative Diseases

Researchers discovered mutations of the OPTN gene resulted in increased herpesvirus 1 growth in the brains of mice, leading to the death of local neurons. This resulted in accelerated neurodegeneration. OPTN deficiency was also associated with impairments in immune response. While these findings are specific to the HSV-1 virus, researchers believe the findings may apply to up to eight herpesvirus infections.

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·March 29, 2021·5 min read

Differences in Herpes Virus Symptoms May Relate to Variations in Strain Gene Expression

A new study reveals why some people with the herpes simplex 1 virus experience painful lesions, while others have no symptoms and yet still spread the infection. Researchers say the difference could be a result of how variations in the way certain strains of HSV-1 activate gene expression in neurons.

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·October 22, 2020·3 min read

How Herpes Infection May Impair Human Fetal Brain Development

Herpes virus simplex type 1 infection can spread to the fetal brain during pregnancy, resulting in an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities and neurological deficits.

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·September 15, 2020·4 min read

Key Role of Immune Cells in Brain Infection Identified

Study identifies a specific type of immune cell that induces inflammation in herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 11, 2020·4 min read

3D brain-like tissue model links Alzheimer’s disease with herpes

A 3D human tissue culture model demonstrated a possible causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection. 40 Alzheimer's associated genes were over-expressed in the HSV-1 infected brain tissue, including genes associated with the production of amyloid-beta.

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·May 27, 2019·4 min read

Coat of proteins makes viruses more infectious and links them to Alzheimer’s disease

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) interact with biological fluids, creating a coat of proteins around the viral surface. This results in the viruses becoming more infectious and can contribute to the formation of amyloid plaques. In animal models, researchers found these viruses can bind to amyloid proteins, which aggregate into plaques that contribute to Alzheimer's disease. HSV-1 is able to accelerate the transformation of soluble amyloid proteins into amyloid plaques.