For many families, concerns about dementia begin with small changes. A forgotten name or missed appointment may be harmless, but worries about cognitive decline often grow with age.
Researchers in the United States have now examined whether a vaccine developed for an entirely different condition could be associated with brain health. The findings were published in Annals of Internal Medicine and reported by ScienceDaily.
Not proof yet
The study focused on Shingrix, a vaccine used to prevent shingles. Researchers found that older adults who received at least one dose were less likely to have a dementia diagnosis recorded during four years of follow-up.
After statistical adjustments, vaccination was associated with a 24 percent lower risk of dementia.
Also read: Study makes major finding: Every extra hour of unbroken sitting raises cancer death risk by 10%
However, the researchers stressed that the study identified an association rather than proving that Shingrix itself was responsible for the difference.
Thousands followed
The analysis included 509,926 people aged 66 or older who entered US nursing or rehabilitation facilities between 2017 and 2022. None had a recorded dementia diagnosis at the beginning.
During follow-up, dementia was recorded in 18.8 percent of vaccinated participants, compared with 24.6 percent of those who had not received the vaccine.
Although researchers adjusted for differences between the groups, other factors could still have influenced the findings. Clinical trials would be needed before any preventive effect against dementia could be established.
Also read: If you take amlodipine or felodipine, you may need to avoid 4 foods
Funding disclosed
Kaley Hayes of Brown University led the research alongside scientists from institutions including the University of Delaware and Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Shingrix, funded the research. According to the researchers, the company had no control over the study design, analysis or decision to publish.
Also read: How pineapple can affect your body if you eat it every day
This article is made and published by Mie Hermansen, who may have used AI in the preparation.