HSV-1 and Alzheimer's disease: more than a hypothesis.
Among the multiple factors concurring to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, greater attention should be devoted to the role played by infectious agents. Growing epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that recurrent herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection is a risk factor for AD although the underlying molecular and functional mechanisms have not been fully elucidated yet. Here, we review literature suggesting the involvement of HSV-1 infection in AD also briefly mentioning possible pharmacological implications of these findings.
Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy.
Roberto
R
Piacentini
Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council Rome, Italy.
Giovanna
G
De Chiara
Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy.
Domenica D
DD
Li Puma
Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy.
Cristian
C
Ripoli
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy.
Maria E
ME
Marcocci
San Raffaele Pisana Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care, Telematic University Rome, Italy.
Enrico
E
Garaci
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Institute Pasteur Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; San Raffaele Pisana Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care Rome, Italy.
Anna T
AT
Palamara
Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy.
Claudio
C
Grassi
Alzheimer’s disease; HSV-1; amyloid-β protein; recurrent infection; γ secretase