A new study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine found that the shingles vaccine, known as Shingrix, drastically lowering the likelihood of dementia in older adults. Moreover, the new RSV vaccine, Arexyv, provides comparable protection. In the latest research from the University of Oxford, a team of researchers analyzed data from more than 130,000 participants from across the United States. More importantly, they underscored the benefits of these vaccines beyond their initial intended public health aims.
If you’re 50 or older, health experts say you should get the Shingrix vaccine. It works to protect you against the varicella-zoster virus, which is responsible for chickenpox. Although it may take decades for this virus to reactivate, usually as shingles, which is especially dangerous to older adults, the damage has already been done. Plants are grown with the AS01 adjuvant, found in Shingrix, which boosts immune response following vaccination.
In those who received Shingrix, participants had an astounding 18 percent lower risk of developing dementia. If nothing else, this is a remarkable improvement seen within only 18 months compared to individuals who only received the annual flu vaccine. Additionally, passing the Shingrix review speed up the onset of dementia by 17 percent relative to prior, less effective shingles vaccines.
In addition to Shingrix, the study analyzed Arexyv, which the CDC recommends for adults older than 75. In fact, those participants who had been vaccinated with both vaccines showed a stunning 37 percent decrease in risk for dementia. The researchers hypothesize that both vaccines could reduce risk of dementia. They assume this protection stems from ways that do not include the vaccines’ chief function of preventing their particular target viruses.
“It is likely that both the AS01 shingles and RSV vaccines provide some protection against dementia.” – Maxime Taquet from the University of Oxford.
The AS01 adjuvant, used in both Shingrix and Arexyv, is likely what underlies these protective effects. The study’s findings suggest that this adjuvant could be directly contributing to reduced dementia risk.
“The findings suggest that the AS01 adjuvant itself plays a direct role in lowering dementia risk.” – Findings from the University of Oxford.
Vaccination has historically played a vital role in public health, saving an estimated 154 million lives worldwide over the past fifty years from various deadly viruses. Recent findings about Shingrix and Arexyv underscore that vaccination can do more than just guard against pathogens. It might improve older Americans’ cognitive health!
Researchers are calling for further research to validate these findings. They hope to learn more about how these vaccines could prevent dementia. The potential of this research may inform approaches to a greater extent that can contribute to lowering the risk of dementia in America’s older adults.
