Certain vaccines may reduce Alzheimer’s risk

Certain vaccines may reduce Alzheimer's risk

New Research Shows Adult Vaccinations Can Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

According to recent research conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, certain adult vaccines have shown promising results in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The study suggests that prior vaccination against shingles, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 25% to 30% ¹.

This study builds upon previous research conducted by the same team, which found that adults who received at least one flu shot were 40% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than their unvaccinated peers ². This new research expands on that finding to include the potential benefits of other adult vaccines in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Senior author Dr. Paul Schulz, a neurology professor with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, expressed his surprise at the broader impact of vaccines on Alzheimer’s risk. He stated, “We were wondering whether the influenza finding was specific to the flu vaccine. This data revealed that several additional adult vaccines were also associated with a reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s” ³.

The researchers hypothesize that the immune system plays a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. They believe that brain cell dysfunction in Alzheimer’s may be caused by the immune system. The findings of this study suggest that vaccination has a general effect on the immune system, reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease ⁴.

To conduct the study, the researchers evaluated the medical records of 1.6 million patients who did or did not receive routine vaccinations recommended for adults. The study participants were free of dementia during a two-year lookback period and were at least 65 years old at the start of the eight-year follow-up period ⁵.

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The research findings indicate that certain vaccines are associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The Tdap/Td vaccine, used to protect against tetanus and diphtheria, was found to be particularly effective, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 30%. In comparison, 7% of vaccinated patients developed Alzheimer’s disease, while 10% of unvaccinated patients developed the condition ⁶.

Additionally, the shingles vaccine was associated with a 25% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Only 8% of vaccinated patients developed the disease compared to 11% of unvaccinated patients. Similarly, the pneumococcal vaccine was associated with a 27% lower risk, with 8% of vaccinated patients and 11% of unvaccinated patients developing Alzheimer’s disease ⁷.

Interestingly, the risk reduction associated with vaccines is comparable to the effect of three new anti-amyloid antibodies used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. These antibodies slow disease progression by approximately 25%, 27%, and 35%, making the potential benefits of vaccines even more remarkable ⁸.

Dr. Avram Bukhbinder, a recent medical school alumnus now working at Massachusetts General Hospital, offered insights into the mechanisms behind the reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease associated with vaccines. He suggests that vaccines may alter the immune system’s response to the toxic proteins that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s. Vaccines could enhance the efficiency of immune cells in clearing these toxic proteins or fine-tune the immune response to minimize damage to healthy brain cells. Furthermore, vaccines protect against infections like shingles, which can contribute to neuroinflammation ⁹.

The researchers emphasize the importance of readily accessible routine adult vaccinations for patients. These findings demonstrate the potential benefits beyond the targeted diseases and underline the significance of maintaining a strong immune system through vaccination ¹⁰.

In conclusion, recent research suggests that adult vaccines, such as those for shingles, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, may contribute to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. These vaccines are associated with a 25% to 30% lower risk, comparable to the effect of new anti-amyloid antibodies used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. By enhancing immune system responses and protecting against infections, vaccines may help reduce brain cell dysfunction and neuroinflammation. These findings highlight the importance of routine adult vaccinations as a potential measure for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

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