Older adults who’ve received the shingles vaccine may be protecting themselves from not only a painful virus, but also a devastating brain disease, as a new study published in Nature, finds the strongest evidence yet that the shingles vaccine helps cut the risk for dementia by 20%—more than any other known intervention.

Researchers in Wales followed more than 280,000 Welsh adults and found that those given the discontinued shingles vaccine called Zostavax were one-fifth less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over the next seven years versus those who did not get the shot. Scientists say they saw the strongest effect in female patients.

Manisha Parulekar, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD, director of the Division of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center and co-director of the Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center, specialises in memory and cognitive disorders and says although more research is needed to confirm the potential link and understand the full extent of its protective effects, one theory is that it may reduce inflammation in the nervous system.

“Here’s what we know: varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles, remains dormant in the nervous system after chickenpox,” explains Dr. Paulekar, who says reactivation later in life causes shingles, a painful rash. “This reactivation can trigger significant inflammation in the nervous system, potentially damaging neurons and contributing to cognitive decline.”

Dementia is not a single disease, but rather a term for brain diseases associated with memory loss, decreased cognitive function and changes in behavior, as seen in Alzheimer’s Disease. Other statistics regarding dementia:

At HUMC, Dr. Parulekar helps patients struggling with dementia and their families through the health network’s Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health. Her team of specialists and supportive staff help families navigate treatment for difficult diagnoses and connect them with helpful resources.

“The number of New Jersey residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease is expected to jump to 210,000 this year. That’s a 23% increase over 2017 figures,” says Dr. Parulekar.

While patients and families may feel helpless, asking how this devastating disease can be prevented, this new study may offer a glimmer of hope and a potential new direction in the fight against it.

“This study reinforces the growing body of evidence pointing to the role of inflammation in the brain as a driver of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's,” explains Dr. Parulekar..” If inflammation is indeed a key player, then targeting it through various means, including vaccination, could be a promising avenue for prevention or treatment.”