Microbiome, infections and immune pathways re-emerge as prevention targets
Key Questions
How do infections influence dementia risk?
Severe bacterial infections raise dementia risk by 19% even after comorbidity adjustment. Gut butyrate and probiotics may block amyloid and inflammation pathways.
Does the shingles vaccine reduce dementia risk?
Shingrix and Zostavax reduce MCI risk and benefit existing dementia cases in natural-experiment studies that overcome healthy-vaccinee bias.
What microbiome or immune markers are being tracked?
NLR markers and infections are monitored for early intervention, with gut microbiome modulation emerging as a prevention target.
Gut butyrate/probiotics block amyloid/inflammation; infections and NLR markers tracked for early intervention. New: severe bacterial infections linked to 19% higher dementia risk, even after controlling for comorbidities, highlighting infection prevention as a modifiable risk factor. New this cycle: Shingles vaccine (Zostavax/Shingrix) reduces MCI risk and benefits existing dementia, based on natural-experiment design overcoming healthy-vaccinee bias—a game-changer for prevention.