Existing Vaccine May Reduce Dementia Progression and Lower Mortality Rate by 30%

A vaccination program against shingles, initiated in Wales in 2013, has revealed encouraging results for dementia prevention and treatment. Research indicates that the vaccine not only lowers the likelihood of mild cognitive impairment but may also slow dementia progression in diagnosed individuals.

Earlier studies suggested the vaccine could help prevent dementia, and new analysis now links it to a nearly 30% reduction in death from dementia among patients who already had the condition.

The international research team highlights that targeting viruses affecting the nervous system, such as the varicella zoster virus responsible for shingles, could provide protective effects against dementia. Epidemiologist Haroon Ahmed of Cardiff University emphasized the public health potential, noting that the vaccine is safe, affordable, and widely accessible. However, he stresses that additional research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms behind its protective benefits.

The Welsh rollout, which offered the vaccine to individuals aged 79 but not those aged 80, created a unique natural experiment. This small age difference allowed researchers to compare outcomes in very similar groups while minimizing confounding factors like education or other medical conditions. Of 14,350 people with pre-existing dementia, vaccination reduced the risk of death from the condition by almost 30% over nine years.

Moreover, the vaccinated group showed slower onset of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia, suggesting both preventive and therapeutic potential. Biomedical scientist Pascal Geldsetzer from Stanford University noted that the findings indicate the vaccine may not only delay dementia but also benefit those already affected.

Although the study does not establish direct cause and effect, it demonstrates a significant correlation worth exploring. Future research aims to clarify why the shingles vaccine impacts dementia, potentially involving nervous or immune system mechanisms. There is interest in expanding studies to broader age groups and evaluating the newer version of the shingles vaccine that replaced the one used in Wales in 2013.

The full research has been published in Cell, providing an important foundation for further investigation into dementia prevention and treatment strategies.

Author: Chloe Ramirez