HerpBioMA - Herpes Virus and Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, affects approximately 50 million people worldwide and 1.2 million in France. This disease is characterized by progressive cognitive decline  - particularly affecting memory - as well as behavioral disorders such as apathy, irritability, and aggressiveness. AD has serious consequences not only for patients but also for those around them, and it represents a significant societal cost. A growing body of evidence suggests a link between herpes viruses - especially herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) - and AD. These viruses may trigger or contribute to the pathological changes associated with AD. 

The HerpBioMA project, led by Catherine Helmer, aims to decipher the involvement of the herpes simplex-1 virus (HSV1) - the virus responsible for "cold sores" - in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The project will assess whether HSV1 promotes the development of the main brain lesions of AD and will also identify the genetic and immune factors that promote these lesions in infected people.  

This epidemiological research will be based on the B cube cohort, a French population-based study on brain aging.  

Through a better understanding of the infectious mechanisms involved in AD, the HerpBioMA project ultimately aims to improve the prevention of cognitive decline and AD, and to pave the way for preventive strategies such as anti-infective or immunomodulatory treatments, or even vaccination