While shingles rates are declining in younger people, they are increasing in older adults.
Researchers asked about a hypothetical vaccine that could cut the risk of dementia in half.
Some studies suggest that flu, shingles, and tuberculosis vaccines could protect against neurologic diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Relative to the discontinued live vaccine, the recombinant vaccine may better protect people from more than an uncomfortable infection.
The new study reinforces similar findings from previous observational studies.
Among eligible adults, shingles vaccination reduced new mild cognitive impairment diagnoses by 1.5 percentage points.
Shingles may contribute to cognitive decline through neuroinflammation, direct neuron injury, or the activation of other herpesviruses, the authors say.
