Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
Volume 5, Issue 4 , Pages 348-360, July 2009

Alzheimer's disease and infection: Do infectious agents contribute to progression of Alzheimer's disease?

  • Kie Honjo

      Affiliations

    • L.C. Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery, Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • ,
  • Robert van Reekum

      Affiliations

    • Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • ,
  • Nicolaas P.L.G. Verhoeff

      Affiliations

    • Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1-416-785-2500. ext. 2167; Fax: +1-416-785-4230.

Abstract 

Infection with several important pathogens could constitute risk factors for cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in particular. This review summarizes the data related to infectious agents that appear to have a relationship with AD. Infections with herpes simplex virus type 1, picornavirus, Borna disease virus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and spirochete were reported to contribute to the pathophysiology of AD or to cognitive changes. Based on these reports, it may be hypothesized that central nervous system or systemic infections may contribute to the pathogenesis or pathophysiology of AD, and chronic infection with several pathogens should be considered a risk factor for sporadic AD. If this hypothesis holds true, early intervention against infection may delay or even prevent the future development of AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Viral infection, Bacterial infection, Inflammation, Vascular risk factor, Vaccination

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PII: S1552-5260(08)02983-X

doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2008.12.001

Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
Volume 5, Issue 4 , Pages 348-360, July 2009

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