Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery suggesting that shingles vaccine not only prevents the onset of dementia but also slows its progression. According to a new study published this week, individuals who received the shingles vaccine were nine years less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia, compared to those who didn't get vaccinated.
The finding is significant, as dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and death among older adults worldwide. Currently, approximately 57 million people globally are living with dementia, with numbers projected to double every 20 years. In the United States alone, new cases of dementia are expected to rise from around 500,000 in 2020 to over a million by 2060.
The study's senior author, Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer, notes that the shingles vaccine may not only offer preventive benefits but also therapeutic potential for those already suffering from dementia. "The most exciting part is that this really suggests the shingles vaccine doesn't have only preventive, delaying benefits for dementia, but also therapeutic potential for those who already have dementia," he said.
In Wales, a public health program initiated in 2013 provided shingles vaccinations to people aged 79 and above. Researchers isolated the effect of vaccination by comparing individuals who turned 80 just before the vaccine's introduction to those who turned 80 after that date. This unique approach allowed for a randomized trial with a control group and an intervention group, making the study's findings particularly compelling.
The results suggest that shingles vaccine recipients were less likely to die from dementia within nine years compared to unvaccinated individuals. The study builds upon previous research that found older adults vaccinated against shingles were 20% less likely to develop dementia than those who weren't vaccinated.
While more research is needed, this discovery holds promise for the development of new treatments and prevention strategies for dementia, ultimately improving the lives of millions worldwide affected by the condition.
The finding is significant, as dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and death among older adults worldwide. Currently, approximately 57 million people globally are living with dementia, with numbers projected to double every 20 years. In the United States alone, new cases of dementia are expected to rise from around 500,000 in 2020 to over a million by 2060.
The study's senior author, Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer, notes that the shingles vaccine may not only offer preventive benefits but also therapeutic potential for those already suffering from dementia. "The most exciting part is that this really suggests the shingles vaccine doesn't have only preventive, delaying benefits for dementia, but also therapeutic potential for those who already have dementia," he said.
In Wales, a public health program initiated in 2013 provided shingles vaccinations to people aged 79 and above. Researchers isolated the effect of vaccination by comparing individuals who turned 80 just before the vaccine's introduction to those who turned 80 after that date. This unique approach allowed for a randomized trial with a control group and an intervention group, making the study's findings particularly compelling.
The results suggest that shingles vaccine recipients were less likely to die from dementia within nine years compared to unvaccinated individuals. The study builds upon previous research that found older adults vaccinated against shingles were 20% less likely to develop dementia than those who weren't vaccinated.
While more research is needed, this discovery holds promise for the development of new treatments and prevention strategies for dementia, ultimately improving the lives of millions worldwide affected by the condition.
... I mean, can you believe it? A vaccine that's been around for like 20 years is now being touted as a potential cure for dementia 
. The math just blows my mind - if they're right, that means someone living with shingles could be looking at an extra 9 years of decent health before hitting the decline curve 
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. I'm not exactly a scientist, but even I can see how having more time, more independence... it's just better in so many ways 
. Now we're talking, who knows what other mysteries are hiding in plain sight waiting for us to figure them out 
?
I'm kinda surprised about this study on shingles vaccine and dementia. Like, I thought it was all good that we had vaccines to protect against shingles, but not necessarily thinking it'd do anything for our brains 
. But I guess it makes sense, 'cause if the vaccine's already doing something amazing for your immune system, why not try giving it a go for dementia prevention too? 
. if this vaccine can slow down or even prevent dementia, that would be amazing! 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia right now, it's like a huge burden on their families and caregivers 
. i hope more research is done to understand the shingles vaccine's full potential... maybe we'll see new treatments come out soon 
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. The study's results are promising, but we need to see more research on this topic before we can make any conclusions. And what about the potential side effects of the vaccine? Are they worth the risk? I'm also wondering if there's a catch - maybe shingles vaccine is only effective for certain people or in specific cases. We shouldn't be too quick to jump on the bandwagon just yet 
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! If the shingles vaccine can slow down or even prevent dementia, that's like a game-changer for our grandparents, right? I mean, think about it, 57 million people worldwide are already living with dementia and that number doubles every 20 years... it's crazy 
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. Fingers crossed that this discovery leads to new treatments and prevention strategies for everyone 
think its pretty cool that a vaccine meant for just preventing shingles could be helping prevent or slow down dementia as well... 9 years is a big gap, so hopefully it can help a lot of people who are getting dementia now and in the future. dont know how they did the study but isolating the effect like that must have been tricky. guess its good that researchers found out about this potential benefit through public health programs...