New studies add evidence to a possible link between Alzheimer’s and herpesvirus
A-beta plaque buildup could be the brain’s way of protecting itself from the virus
![brain scan of cerebral atrophy](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/062118_LR_alzheimers-herpes_feat.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
A VIRAL LINK? A brain showing cerebral atrophy, a loss of nerve cells, one of the main signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Atthapon Raksthaput/Shutterstock