New Hope in the Fight Against Dementia: Shingles Vaccine Shows Promise

There’s some exciting news in the battle against dementia! Recent research suggests that a vaccine usually used to protect against shingles might actually help delay the onset of memory problems commonly associated with dementia.

In a study published recently, scientists discovered that people who received this particular shingles vaccine lived an average of 164 days longer without being diagnosed with dementia than those who only had older shingles vaccines. This is significant news for those concerned about the memory-impairing condition.

Dr. Céline Gounder, a medical contributor for CBS News and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, expressed enthusiasm about the findings. She pointed out that it’s remarkable to have a vaccine that’s already approved and easily accessible—and now it may also provide protection against dementia.

She added, “This kind of level of protection is really promising for a lot.” However, despite the promising results, there are still questions about how exactly the vaccine might work in reducing the risk of dementia, as highlighted by Dr. Sheona Scales, the director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Dr. Scales emphasized that dementia isn’t just a given as we age; it’s often the result of certain diseases, like Alzheimer’s. This makes it vital to find new methods to lower the risk of developing these diseases.

The study authors mentioned the importance of further research to fully understand the connection between the shingles vaccine and dementia prevention. They recommend that everyone should get two doses of the shingles vaccine starting at age 50.

Dr. Gounder raised some interesting questions about timing and dosage, wondering if we should think about starting vaccinations earlier or if additional doses might be needed.

Aside from vaccinations, maintaining good overall health can also help prevent dementia later in life. Dr. Gounder relates this to general health tips: keep your blood pressure in check, maintain a healthy diet and exercise to prevent diabetes, and if you do have diabetes, manage it effectively. Oh, and don’t forget to quit smoking!

She also mentioned a newer concern related to air pollution and its potential impact on health, noting, “Try to minimize your exposure, get some indoor air filtration units.” For those who find themselves outdoors during heavy pollution days, wearing a mask could be a wise choice.