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Massive health-record review links viral illnesses to brain disease

Study ties common viruses such as flu to Alzheimer’s and other conditions — but the analysis has limitations, researchers warn.
  1. Max Kozlov
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An analysis of about 450,000 electronic health records has found a link between infections with influenza and other common viruses and an elevated risk of having a neurodegenerative condition such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease later in life. But researchers caution that the data show only a possible connection, and that it’s still unclear how or whether the infections trigger disease onset.

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Nature 614, 18-19 (2023)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-00181-3

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