Recap from the AlzPI and PCOM Symposium: Bridging Silos to Accelerate Innovation

The Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI) and The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) hosted a one day symposium, focusing on the research over the last three decades related to microbes and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). HSV1 was repeatedly included throughout various presentations, showing that this research area of infection and its impact on the brain is critical to continue to explore and elevate.

Starting off the HSV1 and Alzheimer’s Disease conversation was Dr. Ruth Itzhaki, a pioneer in researching the correlation between HSV1 and Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Itzhaki gave an engaging talk on her research and findings.

Earlier Work and Correlation Concept of HSV1 and AD

• HSV1 DNA resides latently but reactivates during stress in the brain of many elderly people. Reactivation damage is presumably limited & localized but the reactivation happens repeatedly – leading to AD.
• HSV1 travels to the brain in late middle age, on decline of the immune system.
• There is a genetic component to this that creates a stronger risk of AD when combined with HSV1. APOE-e4 carriers have an increased risk for HSV1 damage to both the Peripheral and Central Nervous Systems.
• Over 500 studies, using diverse approaches: epidemiology, molecular and cellular biology, virological methods, etc. all support that HSV1 plays a role in Alzheimer’s Disease.

Evidence of HSV1 Reactivation in Living Brain

• HSV1 DNA detected in brain of HSV positive immunocompromised, but not HSV negative immunocompromised
• Systemic infections cause cognitive decline and increased risk of AD. Some vaccines decrease AD risk, however some infections (like COVID), are known to reactivate HSV1.
• The risk of Alzheimer’s Disease is greater in HSV1 infected people than uninfected. Antivirals can help to decrease risk.
• There is genetic support that a virus can play a role due to linked pathways that are found between the two.
• All of this data supports that there is a causal role for HSV1 in Alzheimer’s Disease, not just an association.

In summary, Dr. Itzhaki answered the two main questions that have driven her research: Is there evidence of reactivation in the brain; and does HSV1 lead to AD? Answer: YES. Data in models and in humans both suggest that HSV in the brain is pivotal in increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Zena Chatila, a PhD Candidate at Columbia University presented on the impact HSV1 has on microglial function and driving immune therapy. Microglia are immune cells that patrol the central nervous system (CNS) to respond to damage and pathogens.

• Her work consists of infecting microglia-like cells with HSV1 to study the effects.
• The research shows HSV drives microglial memory. Pathogen exposure may rewire functional programming of the microglia through innate immune memory. When exposed to HSV1 as an initial stimulus, a dramatic shift occurs, fundamentally suppressing the response.
• She concluded her talk confirming that HSV1 DNA is found in the brain of most elderly people, including those with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Why is all of this important?

This is more concrete evidence pointing to the correlation between HSV1 and Alzheimer’s Disease. This further demonstrates that herpes is not just a benign infection. Herpes can have very serious health outcomes. As more research is dedicated to these effects, along with the research going towards HSV cure and vaccine research, we get closer each day towards developing an effective method to combat HSV.

These conversations are so important to have and to be apart of and it was great to see all of the conversations around Herpes. Advocates are always encouraged to join conferences, lectures, talks, etc. and raise questions around HSV. If you’re not sure which events to attend, you can take a look at our Events Calendar.

Thank you to AlzPI and PCOM for hosting a fantastic symposium! A special thank you to all the speakers as well for leading very insightful conversations all around.

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