Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than three million Americans per year. And while its exact cause is unknown, researchers may have just had a breakthrough.
A study, which was published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia in December 2024, finds a connection between cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common childhood infection, and Alzheimer’s. But what’s behind this and how can you protect yourself? Here’s what you need to know, according to a neurologist.
Meet the expert: Clifford Segil, DO, neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
What did the study find?
For the study, researchers analyzed donated organ tissues around the body from 101 donors. Of those, 66 had Alzheimer’s.
The researchers found the presence of CMV antibodies all over patients with Alzheimer’s disease, including the intestines, spinal fluid, brains, and vagus nerves. The scientists found similar findings in an independent group of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers concluded that the findings suggest “complex” interactions between CMV and certain changes in the body can increase the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
What is the potential link between CMV and Alzheimer’s disease?
It’s hard to say at this point. CMV is really common—more than half of adults have been infected with it by age 40, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most people with CMV show no symptoms, but it can cause mild, cold-like illness.
Plus, the study didn’t necessarily find that CMV causes Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, it found that people who developed Alzheimer’s were also more likely to have goten the virus.
Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, isn’t concerned about the link. “In clinical practice as a neurologist, looking for CMV is not part of our routine workup,” he says. While some viruses like herpes and West Nile may cause changes in the brain, CMV is not currently known to do this, Segil says.
It’s “extremely unlikely” that CMV causes Alzheimer’s disease, Segil says, adding that he has “no concerns” about this.
How can I protect myself from CMV?
You may have already had CMV and didn’t know it. (It rarely causes issues in otherwise healthy people, per the Mayo Clinic.)
However, the Mayo Clinic notes that you can lower the risk of getting CMV by practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding contact with tears and saliva when you kiss a child, avoiding sharing utensils or drinks, washing your hands well when getting rid of diapers and tissues, cleaning surfaces that come into contact with a child’s pee or saliva, and wearing a condom during sex.
How can I reduce my risk of Alzheimer’s?
There’s no clear answer on how to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but the Alzheimer’s Association says there are a few things that can help to lower your risk. Those include:
- Getting regular physical exercise.
- Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with limited sugar and saturated fats.
- Trying to maintain good social connections.
- Doing your best to avoid head trauma.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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