Cognitive decline is one of the most common diseases that people experience with age. Dementia is an umbrella term used to define symptoms of decline in brain function, whether it is memory, thinking skills or other mental abilities. While the risk factors, causes and treatment options are known, researchers explain that they are still being studied, and every new study brings an interesting perspective about the disease. As there is no proper cure for the disease, people have to rely on medication that slows the disease down. A new study may have found not just a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease but also a way to lower the potential of developing the cognitive decline. Risk Factors for the Disease A new study done by researchers from pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences and the University of Washington in Seattle, suggested that people who get cold sores might be nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. US researchers discovered that individuals carrying the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes cold sores, had an 80% higher chance of developing this brain-wasting condition. Other risk factors include age, family history, genetics, certain medication or injuries. Whie most of these are irrefutable things, research has shown that that can be tackled with things like learning a new skill, exercising daily, quitting smoking, eating healthy as well as maintaining a healthy weight. What Are Cold Sores And Causes Cold sores are small blisters around one’s mouth, also known as fever blisters. They are caused by a virus known as herpes simplex, and the most common strain of it is herpes simplex virus 1. This is a communicable infection that can spread through kissing or sharing utensils or even towels. John Hopkins Medicine explained that if the virus transfers to you, it will cause a breakout of cold sores. These sores can be triggered by sunlight, cold wind or other illnesses that can weaken your immune system like hormone levels and even stress. Antiviral Treatment Shows Promise However, the study also offered a ray of hope: those who received antiviral medicines for HSV-1 had a 17% lower risk of Alzheimer's compared to those who didn't. This finding is significant because the virus has been linked to changes in the brain similar to those seen in dementia patients, such as plaque-like formations and inflammation. The study, a collaboration between pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences and the University of Washington in Seattle, analyzed data from over 344,000 individuals with Alzheimer's and an equal number without the disease. It found that 1,507 (0.44%) of Alzheimer's patients had a history of HSV-1 diagnosis, compared to just 823 (0.24%) of those without the disease. These findings were published in the journal BMJ Open. Things To Keep In Mind Experts emphasized that HSV-1 infection, which is very common, does not guarantee someone will develop Alzheimer's. The exact reason why viral infections might increase dementia risk isn't fully understood, but it's likely due to infections causing more inflammation in the body, contributing to age-related brain inflammation.They also explained that there isn't enough evidence yet to add infections to the list of 14 established risk factors for dementia. The researchers pointed out that the research relied solely on health records, meaning some HSV-1 infections might not have been recorded since many people don't show symptoms. Additionally, information about infections predating the records wasn't available, and diagnosing Alzheimer's, especially early on, remains a challenge.