Those of us who have had elderly relatives who have developed dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, as I have, know how these “invisible” ailments’ physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts have greatly affected not only people living with dementia but also their families and caregivers. While we were fortunate in being able to find a senior assisted living residence, not everyone is so lucky, and broadly speaking, there is often a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, resulting in stigmatization and barriers to diagnosis and care.
Whenever there is the possibility that new scientific research can offer better chances, we welcome it. Such is the case now with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s: An Overview
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia, which is not a specific disease, but describes a group of symptoms.
Dementia is a syndrome that can be caused by a number of diseases that, over time, destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, typically leading to deterioration in cognitive function (i.e., the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological ageing.
While consciousness is not affected, the impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by changes in mood, emotional control, behaviour, or motivation.
Worldwide, 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, of which seven million are in the United States.
Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people. Its economic costs are immense: The latest figures from the World Health Organization show that in 2019, global dementia cost economies $1.3 trillion, and that figure is likely much higher today, six years later.
Women are disproportionately affected by dementia, both directly and indirectly. Women experience higher disability-adjusted life years and mortality due to dementia but also provide 70% of care hours for people living with dementia.
Possible links between Shingles, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease
The Shingles connection: The relationship between shingles and dementia has been a topic of emerging research, focusing on how shingles might influence cognitive decline or the development of dementia.
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection that presents as a painful rash, typically occurring in individuals who have previously had chickenpox. The reactivation of the same virus responsible for chickenpox causes it.
There has been some research in the past that examined the epidemiological connections between shingles and various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Some of those studies found that infections, including shingles, could trigger inflammatory responses that may contribute to neurological damage. And inflammation is a known factor in the progression of dementia-related diseases.
Further, some clinical observations have also noted that patients with shingles may experience cognitive changes or memory issues following the infection. This raises questions about the long-term impacts of shingles on brain health.
We know that there are populations more vulnerable to this link. Specifically, older adults are at a higher risk of both shingles and dementia. The immune response diminishes with age, allowing for the reactivation of dormant viruses.
And then there are pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems, that may increase the risk of both shingles and dementia.
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Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease research: Most research into Alzheimer’s disease was focused on two proteins, known as amyloid and tau, which build up in the brain, and were assumed to be the main cause of the disease. Over many decades, for example, tens of billions of dollars have been poured into efforts to develop treatments based on these proteins, with little to show for it.
But recently, a group of 25 scientists and entrepreneurs from around the world have assembled themselves into the Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI). Their mission is to provide formal proof that infection plays a central role in triggering the disease.
According to this theory, plagues and tangles of proteins could, instead, be the body’s response to an underlying viral infection. A significant study published in April 2025, analysing data of 280,000 people from Wales, found individuals who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over a seven-year period compared to unvaccinated individuals. The protective effect appeared more pronounced in women.
A newer “recombinant vaccine” might even be a better way to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a vaccine could prevent or treat Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
If this new research is further developed and supports that shingles vaccines not only prevent shingles but also help limit dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, it would be an enormous gift, especially for individuals and countries with ageing populations.
No doubt, there will be skeptics and those unwilling to trust positive outcomes, such as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. But that should not deter the rest of us from appreciating objective scientific research and data produced, and ultimately benefit from the results.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Ian Talmacs.
