A recent scientific study showed that the well-known tuberculosis vaccine, "BCG," may help limit some brain changes associated with dementia, as researchers observed a decrease in inflammation and neurodegeneration markers, along with improvements in some memory tests in genetically modified mice.
Johns Hopkins University in the United States stated in a report published yesterday, Wednesday, on its website, that the study published in the scientific journal "Science Advances," involved researchers from the university, and aimed to understand the biological mechanisms that might explain the relationship between the tuberculosis vaccine and a reduced risk of dementia, a relationship indicated by previous studies.
The researchers clarified that mice that received the vaccine showed changes in some indicators related to inflammation and neurodegeneration, suggesting that the immune response resulting from the vaccine may have effects that help limit some changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
The researchers pointed out that understanding these mechanisms could help clarify the role of the immune system in the development of dementia, and open the door to further studies to explore potential preventive measures.
The study emphasized the need to continue research to verify the extent to which these results apply to humans, as animal experiments alone are not sufficient to prove that the tuberculosis vaccine protects against dementia in humans, or to recommend that people receive it for this purpose.
Dementia is a condition that leads to a gradual decline in mental abilities, such as memory, thinking, concentration, and language, which affects a person's ability to perform daily activities independently, and Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of it.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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