Routine vaccines may cut dementia risk—experts have startling hypothesis on how

A shot of a shingles vaccine blocks reactivation, potentially preventing the virus from triggering brain inflammation that could contribute to the development of dementia. Conversely, there’s some evidence that having shingles may increase the risk of dementia . A possible mechanism But not every vaccine linked to reduced dementia risk comes with such an explanation for how it may protect the brain. For example, the seasonal flu vaccine seems to reduce dementia, but it’s unclear how. …