Vaccines, COVID-19, And Alzheimer’s: The Startling Truth You Must Know!

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, it brought the challenge of containing a deadly virus and concerns about the long-term effects of the disease and its vaccines.

Recent studies have highlighted potential associations between COVID-19, its vaccines, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior.

Over time, it causes significant memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with daily tasks, eventually impacting a person’s ability to live independently.

It is the most common cause of dementia and primarily affects older adults.

Vaccines, Covid-19, And Alzheimer’s: The Startling Truth You Must Know! — Alzheimer’S Disease Typically Affects Older Adults

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

MCI is when someone experiences noticeable changes in memory or thinking abilities. These changes are more than expected for their age but not severe enough to interfere with daily life.

While not all cases of MCI progress to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it is considered a warning sign that warrants monitoring and lifestyle adjustments.

This article will discuss two key studies about AD and MCI after COVID-19 and its vaccines and explore their findings and implications.

Higher Incidence Of Alzheimer'S Disease After Covid-19 And Its Vaccines — Higher Incidence Of Alzheimer’S Disease After Covid-19 And Its Shots

COVID-19 Vaccination and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Published in the Quarterly Journal of Medine (October 2024), this South Korean study [1] explored whether COVID-19 vaccination might be linked to Alzheimer’s disease and its precursor, mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Here’s what the researchers found:

Participants:

The study included over 550,000 residents of Seoul aged 65 and older, divided into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.

Both mRNA (e.g., Pfizer, Moderna) and viral-vector (e.g., AstraZeneca) vaccines were studied.

Results:

Within three months of vaccination, the vaccinated group, especially those who received mRNA vaccines, had an increased incidence of MCI and AD.
For Alzheimer’s disease, vaccinated individuals had a 22.5% increased risk (odds ratio [OR] 1.225) compared to the unvaccinated group.
For mild cognitive impairment, the risk was more than doubled (OR: 2.377).

Conclusion:

While the study emphasizes the preliminary nature of these findings, it raises concerns about how vaccine-induced immune responses might influence neurodegenerative processes.

Graphical Abstract Of A Potential Association Between Covid-19 Vaccination And Development Of Alzheimer’s Disease

COVID-19 Infection and New-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (2022), this large U.S. study examined whether having COVID-19 increased the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Participants

Over 6 million older adults aged 65 and above were studied, comparing those who had COVID-19 to those who did not.

Findings

Older adults with COVID-19 had a 69% higher risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease within a year of infection.

Women and individuals aged 85 and older were particularly affected.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the potential role of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in accelerating neurodegenerative processes, possibly through inflammation and other immune responses triggered by the infection.

My geriatrician wife had the same observations in her dementia clinic. Other geriatricians working in the nursing homes had the same experience.

What’s the Connection?

The link between these two studies is the spike protein, a key component of both the virus and the mRNA vaccines. Here’s why it matters:

Spike Protein and Inflammation

The spike protein activates the immune system. In some individuals, this activation might lead to chronic inflammation, which has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.

Blood-Brain Barrier

The spike protein may influence the blood-brain barrier, potentially allowing harmful substances or inflammatory responses to affect brain cells.

These mechanisms underline the importance of studying the short—and long-term effects of COVID-19 and its vaccines on brain health.

Prevention Is Key

While research continues to uncover the connections between COVID-19, vaccination, and Alzheimer’s disease, prevention and early intervention are critical. Here’s what you can do:

Support Immune Health: A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, can help support your immune system.
Early Treatment for COVID-19: Early treatment of COVID-19, including antiviral therapies and immune-modulating strategies, may reduce inflammation and the risk of long-term complications.
Monitor Cognitive Health: If you or a loved one experience memory issues or cognitive changes after COVID-19 or vaccination, consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and management.

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Related:

References:

Roh JH, Jung I, Suh Y, Kim MH. A potential association between COVID-19 vaccination and development of Alzheimer’s disease. QJM. 2024 Oct 1;117(10):709-716. doi: 10.1093/qjmed/hcae103. PMID: 38806183.
Wang L, Davis PB, Volkow ND, Berger NA, Kaelber DC, Xu R. Association of COVID-19 with New-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2022;89(2):411-414. doi: 10.3233/JAD-220717. PMID: 35912749; PMCID: PMC10361652.

Introduction