Common vaccine slashes Alzheimer’s disease risk when dose is increased
“I was stunned that, as a physician, I didn’t know a higher dose was offered,” lead study author Paul Schulz, professor of neurology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, said in a press release.
Schulz also led a previous study linking general flu vaccination to a 40% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk.
While the previous research had already linked general flu vaccination to a reduction in Alzheimer’s risk, this new study looked specifically at the strength of the dose.
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“The public health department had seen our vaccine research and asked if I could come down to talk to them about it,” said Schulz. “We went through the findings, and they asked if there was a difference with different dosages; I was confused.”
Adults who received the quadruple-strength vaccine had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s than those who received the standard dose. (iStock)
After sorting through data from nearly 200,000 older adults, the team found the adults who received the high-dose vaccine had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s than those who received the standard dose.
Adults in the high-dose group had an almost 55% lower risk than those who weren’t vaccinated, significantly outperforming standard-dose protection.
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The protective effect of the high-dose vaccine was even more pronounced in women compared to men, although both groups saw significant benefits.
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This study shows a link, not a cause, the researchers noted.
Experts can’t say for certain that the flu shot itself stopped Alzheimer’s because people who get high-dose vaccines might also have other healthy habits, like better diets or more frequent check-ups.
The study focused on people over 65, so it’s unclear whether getting these shots earlier in life would provide the same level of protection. (iStock)
The researchers also looked at medical records after the fact, rather than following two controlled groups in real time, which can sometimes result in missing information or biases.
“This is not a cause/effect study,” Siegel reiterated. “We can’t conclude that the flu shot itself causes the effect; it could be something about the people who decide to take this shot.”
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The study also focused on people over 65, so it’s unclear whether getting these shots earlier in life would provide the same level of protection.
“This needs to be further studied, but it is already certainly another reason to take a flu shot,” Siegel added.
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The study was published in the journal Neurology.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/common-vaccine-slashes-alzheimers-disease-risk-when-dose-increased