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Association between herpes simplex virus infection and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: analysis within the MAPT trial
Linard M, Garrigue I, Vellas B, Coley N, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Ashton NJ, Payoux P et al.. Scientific reports, 2025-01-18
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
In vitro and animal studies have suggested that inoculation with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) can lead to amyloid deposits, hyperphosphorylation of tau, and/or neuronal loss. Here, we studied the association between HSV-1 and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in humans. Our sample included 182 participants at risk of cognitive decline from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial who had HSV-1 plasma serology and an amyloid PET scan.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Linard, M., Garrigue, I., Vellas, B., Coley, N., Zetterberg, H., Blennow, K., et al. (2025). Association between herpes simplex virus infection and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: analysis within the MAPT trial. Scientific reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84583-x
Vancouver
Linard M, Garrigue I, Vellas B, Coley N, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, et al. Association between herpes simplex virus infection and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: analysis within the MAPT trial. Scientific reports. 2025. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-84583-x. PMID: 39825066.
BibTeX
@article{linard2025-39825066,
author = {Linard, M. and Garrigue, I. and Vellas, B. and Coley, N. and Zetterberg, H. and Blennow, K. and Ashton, N. J. and Payoux, P. and others},
title = {{Association between herpes simplex virus infection and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: analysis within the MAPT trial}},
journal = {Scientific reports},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-024-84583-x},
pmid = {39825066},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84583-x}
}
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Key findings
- Here, we studied the association between HSV-1 and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in humans.
- Our sample included 182 participants at risk of cognitive decline from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial who had HSV-1 plasma serology and an amyloid PET scan.
- Plasma Aβ42/40 ratio, neurofilament light chain and p-tau181 were also available for a sub-sample of participants.
- Multivariate linear regressions were performed and stratified by APOE4 genotype.
Why it matters
Among 182 participants at risk of cognitive decline, researchers examined whether prior herpes simplex virus 1 infection was associated with Alzheimer's biomarkers on PET and blood tests. This is an observational analysis and does not show that preventing or treating the infection affects the disease.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Blood tests & biomarkers →
Study details
- Participants58
- Effect size85.2%
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 52/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Scientific reports) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Scientific Reports: journal h-index 463 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 58 participants |
| Effect reported | 2 / 3 | Effect reported as a number, without an interval or test |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 9 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 9 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Catherine Helmer: h-index 74 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique: institution h-index 2,511 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 3 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 27 institution(s) in 6 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 39825066) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 52 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-84583-x
- PubMed: 39825066
- Original source →
- Free full text: Scientific Reports →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.
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