Head Trauma May Reactivate Dormant Viruses, Increasing Alzheimer's Risk

New research suggests that concussions and repetitive head trauma may reactivate dormant viruses like HSV-1 in the brain, potentially triggering neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Using a brain tissue model, scientists observed that head trauma caused latent HSV-1 to awaken, leading to hallmark Alzheimer's markers such as amyloid plaques, inflammation, and neuronal damage.