New research from the Kaplan Lab at Tufts University, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, suggests a link between head trauma and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The study found that physical injury to the brain can reactivate dormant viruses, such as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), leading to inflammation and the formation of amyloid plaques and other markers of Alzheimer’s. This groundbreaking research, conducted using a 3D bioengineered human brain tissue model, opens the door for potential preventative treatments, such as antiviral drugs, following a head injury. To learn more, check out the articles below!
Citations:
Head Trauma May Activate Latent Viruses in Brain, Leading to Neurodegeneration (Tufts Now)
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Related Work from the Kaplan Lab:
3D Brain-like Tissue Model Links Alzheimer’s Disease With Herpes (Tufts Now)