Shingles Vaccine May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults
A recent study from Brown University suggests a potential connection between shingles vaccination and a reduced risk of dementia in older adults. This research, published in The Annals of Internal Medicine, examined electronic health records and Medicare claims for over 509,926 U.S. adults aged 66 and older who had been admitted to skilled nursing facilities.
The results indicated that individuals who received at least one dose of the recombinant shingles vaccine, known commercially as Shingrix, saw a 24% relative decrease in dementia risk over a four-year timeframe when compared to those who did not get vaccinated.
However, the researchers caution that while these findings suggest an association, they do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the vaccine and a reduction in dementia.
Dr. Ajeet Sodhi, a clinical neurologist and neuro-interventionalist based in Orlando, Florida, finds the results noteworthy. He pointed out that this study aligns with a growing body of scientific literature, reinforcing previous findings rather than existing in isolation. “This is maybe the third or fourth study, and they all came to the same conclusion,” he told Fox News Digital. “It seems that by giving patients the shingles vaccine called Shingrix, in the next couple of years, we see a clinically significant decline in the development of dementia.”
The researchers propose various possible explanations for this correlation. One theory is that the vaccine not only prevents shingles but also its complications, considering that the shingles virus can lead to vascular conditions like strokes, which might contribute to vascular dementia.
Dr. Sodhi also emphasized that recent medical literature reinforces broader cardiovascular benefits associated with the vaccine. He highlighted that another recent study showed Shingrix could significantly reduce the incidence of both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which include heart attacks and strokes.
He remarked, “The common theme in all of this is the sooner you seek evaluation, the better it is for the treatment.” While the data indicates a strong correlation, the vaccine is not classified as a direct treatment for cognitive decline at this time.
Despite the promising findings, Dr. Sodhi made it clear that the association is suggestive rather than definitive. “This association is … very, very suggestive, but we can’t say one-to-one it proves that this treats dementia. And this finding, honestly, is kind of like icing on the cake.”
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in nerve tissue near the brain and spinal cord, potentially reactivating years later as a painful rash with blisters.
The primary function of the Shingrix vaccine is to prevent the severe pain and rash from shingles reactivation. Complications can include post-herpetic neuralgia, a debilitating condition that results in lasting nerve pain post-rash.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a two-dose series of Shingrix for adults 50 and older, as well as younger adults who are or will be immunocompromised. Although the vaccine is FDA-approved specifically for shingles prevention, it’s not intended as a treatment for dementia.
The study was funded by GSK, the manufacturer of Shingrix; however, the authors clarified that the company had no involvement in the study’s design, analysis, or publication.
Experts advise those who are worried about memory loss or have concerning family medical histories to consult a doctor early. Dr. Sodhi noted, “The treatment is more likely to work the earlier you are in the onset of the disease.”
