Going Viral: Building the Case for the Role of Herpesvirus in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a leading cause of death in older adults, characterized by neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and the accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and tau tangles in the brain. While the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease remains incompletely understood, emerging evidence suggests a potential role for herpesviruses in its pathogenesis. This review explores the hypothesis that herpesvirus infection may contribute to the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This paper also discusses epidemiological, molecular, and experimental findings supporting this hypothesis, highlighting the mechanisms by which herpesviruses could impact neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal loss in Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, the author proposes an experimental method based on a conditioned taste aversion paradigm to elucidate both the role of herpesvirus in AD pathogenesis, and the impact of AD on implicit memory.