Bioinformatics Review of the Role of HSV-1 in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of cognitive functions in affected individuals. Brain tissue pathology is associated with the formation of senile plaques which result from the over-production of amyloid β (Aβ), due to the cleavage of a membrane bound glycoprotein. It is unclear what causes AD and its associated pathologies, but age and genetic predisposition play an import role in the likelihood of disease development. Studies have shown that the reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection can lead to the neuropathy of acute herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), which causes similar symptoms to AD. HSV-1 infection is a known risk factor for the development of AD, but no study has determined a definitive causal relationship. Using the Qiagen Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) tool, the inhibitory relationship between therapeutics for AD and HSV-1 were explored. Thirteen drugs developed to decrease Aβ buildup in AD and 32 drugs that act as HSV antivirals were retrieved from the data in the Qiagen Knowledge Base. These drugs were analyzed displayed as two separate networks. While many promising Aβ aggregation-targeting drugs have been discontinued due to lack of efficacy, HSV drugs could serve as potential therapeutics for those with AD. This review aims to describe new insights on how HSV-1 relates to the development of AD and highlight the mechanism of action of Aβ-related drugs and HSV drugs in the context of AD. With HSV-1 being a likely candidate for the causation of AD, there is a need to study the effects of HSV antiviral drugs on those who have AD.