A regular flu shot significantly reduces the risk of dementia in old age, according to a recent study by the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The researchers analyzed health data from 120,000 veterans over the age of 65, collected by the Veterans Health Administration between 2009 and 2019. The study found that the risk of dementia decreased the more frequently the participants received flu shots. Those who received an annual flu shot had a 12% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not receive the vaccine.
The researchers believe that the flu shot reduces the risk of dementia by training the immune system to fight off infections. This theory is supported by other association studies and animal experiments that have yielded similar results. Richard Dodel, a spokesperson for the German Society of Neurology, explains that vaccinations may increase the number of microglia in the brain, which are immune cells that help remove toxins and pathogens from the body. In Alzheimer’s disease, a buildup of beta-amyloid protein on nerve cells damages them and reduces cognitive function. By increasing the number of activated microglia in the brain, the beta-amyloid is more effectively removed, reducing the risk of dementia.
While this study provides compelling evidence for the benefits of regular flu shots in reducing the risk of dementia, further research is needed to confirm the theory that vaccinations train the immune system to fight off infections and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Nevertheless, this study highlights the importance of preventative measures in maintaining brain health in old age.
