PanamaTimes

Thursday, Apr 24, 2025

Caution: Frequent Sexual Activity Could Result in Brain Alterations and Dementia

Caution: Frequent Sexual Activity Could Result in Brain Alterations and Dementia

A recent study is highlighting worries over a rare yet significant risk associated with a typical sexual activity — the possibility of brain damage and dementia due to the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
HSV-1, which causes oral herpes, is carried by nearly four billion individuals globally. While it generally leads to cold sores, researchers have recently discovered a concerning pathway through which the virus can access the brain—specifically, via the nasal route during oral sex.

Professor Deepak Shukla from the University of Illinois Chicago, who spearheaded the research, explained that HSV-1 particles can enter the nasal passages if saliva or skin from an infected partner comes into contact during oral sexual activities. Once in the nasal cavity, the virus may travel straight to the brain, raising the risk of encephalitis, brain damage, and potentially dementia.

The study, published in the journal *mBio*, also identified a crucial human enzyme, **heparanase (HPSE)**, that could make nasal HSV-1 infections particularly detrimental. Although heparanase typically functions to eliminate damaged cells, HSV-1 seems to exploit this enzyme to amplify inflammation within the brain.

“For most individuals, HSV-1 leads to occasional cold sores and is not harmful,” noted Professor Shukla. “However, if the infection ascends through the nasal route to the brain, it can become significantly more severe.”

To test this hypothesis, Shukla’s research team performed experiments on mice by introducing HSV-1 into their nasal cavities. The mice with typical levels of heparanase exhibited severe symptoms, such as nasal swelling, respiratory difficulties, and ultimately death. Brain examinations showed signs of nerve damage, heightened inflammation, and unusual activity in regions associated with smell and viral entry.

Changes in behavior were observed as well, including memory loss, anxiety-like behaviors, and balance issues—all occurring within six months post-infection.

Although herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is uncommon—affecting approximately two to four individuals per million—researchers suspect that nasal HSV-1 cases are often underrepresented. The virus may remain latent in the brain and contribute to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Shukla stressed that the impact can vary widely based on a person’s immune strength and the frequency of their outbreaks.

“Our findings serve as a caution,” he stated. “Uncontrolled herpes can lead to long-term behavioral challenges, motor dysfunction, and coordination difficulties. It’s vital to grasp how the virus operates and the seriousness it may reach under specific circumstances.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

PanamaTimes
0:00
0:00
Close
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
El Salvador Proposes Prisoner Exchange with Venezuela Amid Deportation Controversy
US Government Defends Deportation of Salvadoran National Kilmar Abrego Garcia
A casino in Mexico burns at the hands of cartels
Pope Francis Makes Brief Appearance at Easter Sunday Mass
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
US Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Rapid Deportation Policy
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
China Stands Firm Amidst Trade Disputes with the US: A Factual Analysis
Helicopter crashes from the sky in NYC with four people aboard.
Spain Encounters Nationwide Demonstrations Amid Rising Housing Crisis
Alisha Lehmann's Modeling Campaign and Public Controversy Stir Debate Ahead of UEFA Women's Euro
Global Markets Dive as U.S.-China Trade Disputes Intensify
Tom Cruise Honors Val Kilmer at CinemaCon
OpenAI Attains Unprecedented $40 Billion Investment
Argentina’s “Magician” or a PR Illusion? “Individuals Are Sifting Through Garbage and Resting on the Streets”
Ecuador Gears Up for Influx of US Military as Measures Intensify Against Violent Drug Cartels
The Trump Administration Withdraws Legal Status for More than 530,000 Immigrants from Four Nations.
Deportation of Alleged Venezuelan Gang Members to El Salvador Raises Legal and Human Rights Concerns
Leaders of the US and Ukraine Hold Constructive Discussion During Ongoing Crisis
US Federal Reserve Revises Down Economic Growth Projections Due to Tariff Ambiguities
EU Charges US Tech Giants with Violating Digital Regulations
Trump Administration's Deportation of Alleged Gang Members Sparks Legal Dispute
Intense Tornadoes and Dust Storms Result in 33 Deaths Throughout Central and Southern United States
CK Hutchison, led by Li Ka-shing, encounters backlash from China regarding the sale of Panama Canal ports to a consortium led by BlackRock.
Meta to Introduce Community Notes Feature in March as Part of New Content Moderation Approach
Trump's ambassador nominee confirmed Canada's sovereignty during trade disputes.
The ICC’s retaliation on behalf of drug traffickers against Philippine President Duterte, who took a stand against them and shielded 100 million Filipinos from the drugs-death trade—overlooking the reality that every triumph carries its own price.
Mark Carney Selected as Leader of Canada's Liberal Party, Poised to Assume the Role of Prime Minister
Pope Francis Displays Signs of Recovery, Yet His Hospitalization Persists.
Trump Administration Unveils Self-Deportation App for Undocumented Immigrants
Trump Administration Plans New Travel Ban Including Afghanistan and Pakistan
Global Scam Syndicate Capitalizes on Fraudulent Celebrity Advertisements to Deceive Thousands
Devastating Passing of 20-Year-Old American Bodybuilder Sparks Health Worries
Microsoft to Sunset Skype in May, Prioritizing Teams as Communication Evolves
Katy Perry Set to Join All-Female Crew for Blue Origin Flight
Apple Resolves iPhone Dictation Bug That Linked 'Racist' to 'Trump'
Proposal Introduced for $250 Bill Featuring Donald Trump
Research Examines Possible Connection Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Post-Vaccination Syndrome
Latin America News Update: Gatherings, Legal Conflicts, and Economic Developments
Vatican Declares Pope Francis' Health Status as 'Critical'
Mexico Suggests Constitutional Amendments to Protect Sovereignty Following U.S. Terrorist Labels on Cartels
Tequila Sector Faces Oversupply Challenge as Agave Prices Fall Sharply
Pope Francis Continues His Hospital Stay While Doctors Treat Complicated Infection
AI Giants Contest Nvidia's Supremacy with Emerging Chip Innovations
California's CalExit Movement Grows Momentum Amid Political and Economic Discourse in the State
×