The Potential Role of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Neuroinflammation in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative affecting ~50 million people worldwide. To date, there no cure and current therapies have not been effective in delaying progression. Therefore, an urgent need for better understanding of the pathogenesis AD to rethink possible therapies. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) has recently received growing attention its potential role sporadic AD. The ubiquitous human pathogen that infects mucosal epithelia invades peripheral nervous system (PNS) host establish reactivable, latent infection. Upon reactivation, HSV1 spreads back epithelium initiates new infection, causing epithelial lesions. Occasionally, from PNS brain after reactivation. In this review, we discuss work on summarize research results support infectious hypothesis We also highlight recent findings neuroinflammatory response, which proposed be main driving force AD, starting early course disease. Relevant rodent models study neuroinflammation novel therapeutic approaches are discussed. Throughout focus several aspects pathogenesis, including primary as invader PNS, should considered etiology point out some contradictory data remaining knowledge gaps require further finally fully understand cause humans.