Health Check Shingles vaccine slows the progression of dementia
Dec 10, 2025
In this engaging episode, BBC journalist Laura Foster, known for her insightful medical reporting, discusses groundbreaking research linking the shingles vaccine to slower dementia progression. Alongside her, Dr. Katharina Schmidt, a neuroscientist specializing in placebo and nocebo effects, reveals how negative expectations can actually worsen treatment outcomes. The conversation also dives into how timing of immunotherapy might influence effectiveness and innovative approaches to manage menopause symptoms with hypnosis, showcasing intriguing intersections of health and psychology.
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Shingles Vaccine Slows Dementia Progression
- Wales' age-based vaccine rollout created a natural comparison that linked shingles vaccination to slower dementia progression.
- Vaccinated people with dementia had substantially lower dementia-related deaths than unvaccinated peers.
Possible Viral Link To Dementia
- Researchers suspect shingles vaccine prevents reactivation of the virus, reducing brain inflammation linked to dementia.
- The exact biological mechanisms remain unclear and need further study.
Negative Expectations Can Create Side Effects
- Nocebo effects arise from negative expectations and are common in clinical care, amplified by stress and prior experiences.
- Subtle clinician cues or warnings about side effects can unintentionally trigger nocebo responses.