Cold-sore virus linked to Alzheimer's

MANCHESTER, England, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- British researchers say drugs used to treat cold sores could prove effective against Alzheimer's disease.

Studies at the University of Manchester suggest the virus that causes cold sores -- herpes simplex virus -- may be one of the main causes of Alzheimer's, The Times of London reported Saturday.

The preliminary findings suggest cheap antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or Zovirax, could be used to slow or even prevent Alzheimer's, the Times reported.

"If we are right, there is a good chance we could make progress quite quickly," said Professor Ruth Itzhaki, who is leading the study.

The next hurdle, however, is finding money to fund the next stage of the research, Itzhaki said, noting grant applications to test the hypothesis in animals have been rejected.

The animal trials would take about a year to complete and, if successful, would lead to three- to five-year trials on patients with early-stage Alzheimer's, she said.