Dana Cairns
Appearances
Global News Podcast
First deaths as wildfires wreak havoc in LA
We basically found that if you introduce a latent herpes infection and then you introduce even a mild blow, it causes the latent virus to become reactivated or awakened and then to introduce some of these negative Alzheimer's proteins. We found that the concussion itself actually induces quite a bit of inflammation. And that inflammation is what kickstarts the reactivation of the virus.
Global News Podcast
First deaths as wildfires wreak havoc in LA
I mean, in theory, yes. But we have evidence to believe that it's not just the physical trauma resulting in these Alzheimer's-like characteristics. Reason being, when we took these brains that were uninfected, compared to those that had this latent herpes infection. The ones that had been uninfected really had minor damage.
Global News Podcast
First deaths as wildfires wreak havoc in LA
They had inflammation, but on its own, there were no Alzheimer's proteins really showing up. However, in contrast, the ones that had this latent HSV infection really showed proteins specifically associated with Alzheimer's disease. So it's likely that there is some component, and I think more research will answer that more definitively in the future.
Global News Podcast
First deaths as wildfires wreak havoc in LA
That's exactly what we're thinking is that, for example, like if you were to have a mild blow to the head on the football pitch and the standard of care currently is really just kind of rest and painkillers as needed. But outside of that, there's nothing else.
Global News Podcast
First deaths as wildfires wreak havoc in LA
So to your point, we could also offer then perhaps a course of antivirals in addition to that just to stave off potential neurodegeneration in the future.