Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia, causing 60-70 percent of cases. It mostly affects adults over the age of 65 and is a leading cause of death and disability. A new study has shown that the disease can be prevented in more than half of the older adults at risk with the commonly advised flu vaccination. The research from the University of Texas Health Houston showed that a higher dose of the influenza vaccine is key for reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Although previous research showed the protective effect of influenza vaccine against Alzheimer’s, the new findings showed that its benefits lie with a higher dose of the influenza vaccine. The US CDC recommends adults 65 and older to receive a high-dose flu vaccine. It is because the immune system becomes less effective at fighting infection at the age of 65. The regulator advises a four times stronger dose to the elderly population than the standard dose given to the general population. The analysis on nearly 200,000 participants ages 65 and older, both men and women, revealed that a higher-dose of influenza vaccination reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s by nearly 55 percent compared to 40 percent with standard-dose vaccination. The results also showed that the protective effect of the high dose was stronger among women. Other Vaccination And Alzheimer’s Risk While it is not proven, a hypothesis about the link between vaccination and reduced risk of neurodegeneration is that inoculation strengthens immune defenses while dampening inflammation. Inflammation is thought to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. “Enhanced [flu vaccines] confer greater protection against influenza infection, thereby decreasing risk of severe illness and the associated systemic inflammation that can promote neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration,” the researchers said. Recent research has also linked the shingles vaccine to slowed neurodegeneration and decreased risk of dementia. The study led by Oxford University researchers showed that shingles vaccine reduces lowers the risk of developing a new dementia diagnosis by 17 percent to 20 percent. Also read: Scientists Find New Drug That Slashes Alzheimer’s Buildup And DamageFurther, it noted that the vaccine may act along the entire clinical course, potentially delaying mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and even slowing the disease in those already living with dementia. “The evidence is not nearly as strong as the four natural experiments with [the] shingles vaccines. But if true, it is likely working via stimulating the immune system, raising its functionality in older adults who are prone to immunosenescence,” Eric Topol, MD, professor and executive vice president at Scripps Research, told CIDRAP news. Immunosenescence refers to the gradual deterioration of the immune system that occurs with aging. What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually. Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory. While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation. Also read: Want To Stave Off Dementia Risk? 3 Simple Lifestyle Changes May Help, Says StudyEarly symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks. There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.