Herpes Virus Reprograms Brain Immune Cells, Disrupting Neural Maintenance
New research indicates that Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) can hijack the brain's immune cells, known as microglia, forcing them into an aggressive antiviral state. This shift disrupts their normal role in maintaining neural health, potentially creating a pathway to chronic neuroinflammation and increased risk for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease.