From Linda Shields, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
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Sam Wong reports a link between herpes infection and Alzheimer's disease (30 June, p 12). This made me wonder whether a vaccine could help prevent Alzheimer's.
Immunisation against varicella zoster virus protects children and some others against chicken pox, and people over 60 against shingles. This virus is a member of the herpes family. Will it be too much of a stretch to develop vaccines against herpes viruses 6 and 7, which were found in the brains of people who had Alzheimer's? Perhaps longitudinal studies of those who have been immunised against chicken pox and shingles will reveal a decline in the prevalence of Alzheimer's.
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The editor writes:
• It is worth investigating. But we don't yet know whether herpes causes Alzheimer's, or in how many cases it may have an effect.
