Can a flu shot protect your brain from dementia?

Posted 11/2/22

NATIONWIDE — October was the official start of flu season, and now many people consider getting a flu shot. In addition to protecting you from the flu, the shot could also help protect your …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Can a flu shot protect your brain from dementia?

Posted

NATIONWIDE — October was the official start of flu season, and now many people consider getting a flu shot. In addition to protecting you from the flu, the shot could also help protect your brain.

A study released this summer found that getting an annual flu vaccination was associated with a 40 percent decrease in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease over the next four years. The same researchers, who are from McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas (UT), conducted an earlier study that found that a single flu shot could reduce the risk of the disease by 17 percent, and additional vaccinations over a lifetime reduced that risk even more.

“Our study suggests that regular use of a very accessible and relatively cheap intervention—the flu shot—may significantly reduce risk of Alzheimer’s dementia,” said Dr. Albert Amran, who was involved in the UT research.

The newer study included more than two million people over age 65. Previous studies were smaller, and often focused on people with chronic health conditions. By including a more general group of older adults, the new study’s results add weight to the idea that a flu shot could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Infections and memory

Prior studies have found that infections—including the flu, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gum disease and COVID-19—are associated with the onset and worsening of memory and thinking problems.

So preventing those infections is important, and hence the link between vaccinations and dementia. A study at Duke University’s Social Science Research Institute found that getting a vaccination against pneumonia between the ages of 65 and 75 reduced Alzheimer’s risk by up to 40 percent. Similar results have been found in recent studies of people who received tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap); hepatitis; or shingles vaccinations.

“These findings are important, because anything we can do to decrease the number of people with Alzheimer’s has vast benefits,” said Doris Saintil Phildor, director of the New York health systems at the Alzheimer’s Association. “Preventing or delaying the progression of Alzheimer’s lowers the burden on family caregivers, and on our state’s health systems.”

To learn more about risk factors for Alzheimer’s and ways to reduce your risk, visit www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors.

To learn more about programs and services offered locally, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here