Herpes virus and other pathogens relationship with Alzheimer's disease | Dale Bredesen
Get the full length version of this episode as a podcast.
This episode will make a great companion for a long drive.
The Omega-3 Supplementation Guide
A blueprint for choosing the right fish oil supplement — filled with specific recommendations, guidelines for interpreting testing data, and dosage protocols.
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, multifaceted condition that manifests as three primary subtypes, one of which is inflammation-related. Exposure to pathogens, including certain oral bacteria, fungi, and members of the herpes virus family, promotes inflammation and upregulates the production of amyloid-beta protein in the brain. Interestingly, most people harbor latent herpes virus infections, and some evidence suggests that reactivation of the latent virus in the brain, particularly in APOE4 carriers, might increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In this clip, Dr. Dale Bredesen describes the links between pathogen exposure and Alzheimer's disease.
Rhonda: You mentioned this type 3 sub-type. Would the herpes virus fall into that?
Dale: So, yeah. So herpes virus could give you type 1 or type 3 depending on what you're actually responding to. If it's just a chronic inflammation then it would be a little bit more like a type 1 with chronic inflammatory, but you're right. You know, again, many groups have said, "Okay, it's about herpes. Okay, it's about P. gingivalis, it's about Fusobacterium nucleatum, it's about Candida. And the reality is, all of these are capable of inducing the signal, this change where you're making the amyloid as part of a protectant. As you know, it's essentially part of your innate immune system.
So if you're responding in that way it can be any of those things, it's not just one every single time, as far as anyone knows. So, yes, you alluded to the recent work on herpes and especially, of course, six and seven. And so, yes, not surprisingly. You know, one of the things we see frequently with the various patients is chronic exposure and chronic presence of the various herpes family viruses, CMV, EBV, HSV, HHV, all those things.
A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss, spatial disorientation, cognitive dysfunction, and behavioral changes. The pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease include amyloid-beta plaques, tau tangles, and reduced brain glucose uptake. Most cases of Alzheimer's disease do not run in families and are described as "sporadic." The primary risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease is aging, with prevalence roughly doubling every five years after age 65. Roughly one-third of people aged 85 and older have Alzheimer's. The major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's is a variant in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene called APOE4.
A toxic 42 amino acid peptide that aggregates and forms plaques in the brain with age. Amyloid-beta is associated with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that can occur in middle or old age and is the most common cause of dementia. Heat shock proteins have been shown to inhibit the early aggregation of amyloid beta 42 and reduce amyloid beta plaque toxicity [1].
- ^ Wu, Yanjue; Cao, Zhiming; Klein, William L.; Luo, Yuan (2010). Heat Shock Treatment Reduces Beta Amyloid Toxicity In Vivo By Diminishing Oligomers Neurobiology Of Aging 31, 6.
A type of fungus that is part of the normal gut microflora in humans. Candida albicans grows both as yeast and filamentous cells and is a causal agent of opportunistic oral and genital infections. Overgrowth of the organism is known as candidiasis.
A critical element of the body’s immune response. Inflammation occurs when the body is exposed to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective response that involves immune cells, cell-signaling proteins, and pro-inflammatory factors. Acute inflammation occurs after minor injuries or infections and is characterized by local redness, swelling, or fever. Chronic inflammation occurs on the cellular level in response to toxins or other stressors and is often “invisible.” It plays a key role in the development of many chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative bacterium found in the oral cavity and throughout the digestive tract of humans. P. gingivalis promotes inflammation of the gums (periodontitis) and is the primary bacterium present in dental plaque, which promotes periodontal disease. Periodontal disease has been associated with the pathogenesis of several diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Member only extras:
Learn more about the advantages of a premium membership by clicking below.
Supporting our work
If you enjoy the fruits of
, you can participate in helping us to keep improving it. Creating a premium subscription does just that! Plus, we throw in occasional member perks and, more importantly, churn out the best possible content without concerning ourselves with the wishes of any dark overlords.
Alzheimer's News
- Poor oral health may triple Alzheimer's disease risk.
- Administration of an anti-TNF therapeutic to Alzheimer's patients led to cognitive improvement within minutes. (2008)
- Study shows people with a high omega-3 DHA level in their blood are at 49% lower risk of Alzheimer’s
- Blood levels of sirtuin enzymes decline with Alzheimer's disease progression, making them a potential biomarker.
- A high-polyphenol diet is protective against age-related brain shrinkage.
