Oxford Study Reveals Link Between Head Injuries And Viruses In Alzheimer's Disease

The researchers are expecting that their work will contribute to finding better and new treatments for neurodegeneration. Oxford's researchers have worked on this with researchers at Tufts University, and the University of Manchester.

Study in UK: The researchers at the Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford worked with the researchers of Tufts University and University of Manchester and found that head injuries may re-awaken dormant viruses in the brain, which can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Professor Itzhaki, Visiting Professorial Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing and Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester, said, "Head injuries are already recognised as a major risk factor, as is the cumulative effect of common infections, for conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, but this is the first time we have been able to demonstrate a mechanism for that process. What we’ve discovered is that in the brain model these injuries can reactivate a dormant virus, HSV1, setting off inflammation which, in the brain, would lead to the very changes we see in Alzheimer’s patients. Understanding both the risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s, and the mechanism by which they develop, is important in being able to target treatment and prevention at as early a point as possible."

Oxford University's Study On Head Injuries: Details

The study has found that repeated head injuries, such as concussions and also mild brain trauma can trigger a chain reaction leading to cognitive decline and memory loss. The researchers have used the 3D, bioengineered human brain tissue model to understand how the physical trauma on the brain cells affects the brain in the long run.

"This reactivation triggered inflammation, beta-amyloid plaque build-up, and the formation of harmful tau proteins, which can damage brain cells and impair memory," reads the Oxford University release.

Oxford University Professor Listed In New Year Honours 2025

Professor Alison Etheridge DBE FRS, Professor of Probability at Oxford’s Department of Statistics has been listed in the New Year Honours 2025. She has been recognized for her services to Mathematical Sciences.

While commenting on this, Professor Etheridge said, "This really is a huge honour and it's taking a while to sink in. It has made me appreciate how lucky I have been to have the support of family, friends, students, and colleagues in and beyond Oxford. And of course, it has been a huge privilege to spend so much of my career in the University of Oxford."

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