Herpes simplex virus type 1 is the cause of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors
Ilija Barukčić
Keywords
Herpes simplex virus type | Alzheimer’s disease
Publication Details
Volume: 5; Issue: 11; Nov-2019 | ISSN: 2454-5422
Abstract
Objective
The possible involvement of viruses, specifically Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type has been investigated by numerous publications. Over 120 publications are providing direct or indirect evidence of a potential relationship between Herpes simplex virus type 1 and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but a causal relation is still not established yet.
Methods
A systematic review and re-analysis of studies which investigated the relationship between HSV-1 and AD by HSV-1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods was conducted. The method of the conditio sine qua non relationship
(SINE) was used to proof the hypothesis: without HSV-1 infection of human brain no AD. The method of the conditio per quam relationship (IMP) was used to proof the hypothesis: if HSV-1 infection of human brain then AD. The mathematical formula of the causal
relationship k was used to proof the hypotheses is, whether there is a cause-effect relationship between HSV-1 and AD. Significance was indicated by a p-value of less than 0.05.
Results
The studies analyzed were able to provide strict evidence that HSV-1 is a necessary condition (a conditio sine qua non), a sufficient condition and a necessary and sufficient condition of AD. Furthermore, the cause-effect relationship between HSV-1 and AD was
highly significant.
Conclusions
The data analyzed provide sufficient evidence to conclude that HSV-1 is the cause of AD.
