Using a natural experiment that avoids common bias concerns, this study finds that the live-attenuated shingles vaccine reduced the probability of a new dementia diagnosis within a follow-up period of...

New research is providing fresh support for the decades-old idea that viral infections can play a role in at least some dementia cases.

Using unique natural experiments that avoid common biases, Pascal Geldsetzer and his team found that shingles vaccination has a large protective effect for dementia. The first study from his group was published in Nature in April 2025: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08800-x. His team is now trying to raise funds from private foundations and philanthropy to conclusively test this link in a randomized clinical trial. They want to trial a version of the old live-attenuated shingles vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured. If you are interested in helping to fund this effort, please reach out to pgeldsetzer@stanford.edu This video was directed by Stanford's Global Health Media Innovation Lab. Animation by Janine Van Schoor (janinevanschoor@gmail.com). Sound design by Misha Seeff @mishaseeff