The Genetic Link between Alzheimer's and Cold Sores

Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that occurs in people over the age of 65. It causes partial to total deterioration of thought processes and memory and can be emotionally and physically devastating for patients and their loved ones. Alzheimer's disease is believed to cause memory loss due to variety of reasons. It can be an organic brain disease that causes permanent damage to nerves and nerve cells in the brain. The brain can also be affected due to outside sources such as aluminum toxicity or inside sources such as an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. There is also a genetic theory that links a specific gene to the creation of Alzheimer's. There is a slow virus theory that links viral infection to the creation of Alzheimer's. This article will explore the genetic and viral links between Alzheimer's and a common virus, herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1). This is the virus that causes oral cold sores. Scientists have found that the genetic/viral link may connect Alzheimer's and cold sores.

Cold sores, as mentioned previously, are caused by a form of the herpes virus. Cold sores are not the same as genital herpes, which is caused by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). The virus that causes cold sores, HSV-1, is permanent, contagious, and transmitted by oral contact such as kissing or using another person's toothbrush. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that appear on or around the mouth and last for approximately 7-10 days. Cold sores, though not pretty, are a much easier physical ailment to suffer than the debilitating Alzheimer's disease. The following paragraph briefly summarizes the genetic relationship between Alzheimer's and cold sores.

Alzheimer's and Cold Sores: A Strange Relationship

Alzheimer's and cold sores are believed to be linked due to studies done on the Alzheimer related gene, ApoE-4. Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by a genetic mutation on various chromosomes. The ApoE-4 gene has been linked with Alzheimer's for over 15 years. Scientists believe that this gene invites the cold sore virus, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). The ApoE-4 gene allows herpes into the brain and may allow HSV-1 to become even more virulent. Scientists also believe that people with the herpes virus are up to 25% more likely to have a predisposition to develop Alzheimer's. There is most definitely a link between Alzheimer's and cold sores. Herpes simplex virus is a chronic infection which has two phases, an active phase where it causes cell damage and a latent phase where it "sleeps" and does not duplicate cells, or grow. HSV is activated by triggers such as sun exposure, stress, dehydration, poor nutrition, fatigue, or other immune disorder. When HSV-1 becomes active, cold sores develop. The connection with Alzheimer's is that herpes virus can affect brain cells. In people with the ApoE-4 gene, herpes is more likely to be in the active phase, duplicating itself, and causing cell damage.