Human cytomegalovirus infection and cognitive decline: insights from population and experimental studies
: Yaiw, Koon Chu; Ferrer, Isidre A.; Söderberg-Nauclér, Cecilia; Religa, Dorota
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
: 2026
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
: 1757461
: 17
: 1663-4365
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1757461
: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1757461
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515530097
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a ubiquitous DNA betaherpesvirus, is capable of persistent infection and immunomodulation, particularly in immunocompromised and elderly hosts. Emerging evidence links HCMV to neurodegenerative diseases through its multifaceted immunomodulatory effects. This review summarizes key viral architectures and mechanisms, epidemiological trends, and experimental data supporting HCMV's role in cognitive decline. We advocate for targeted antiviral strategies and vaccine development to clarify its contribution to neurodegeneration.
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The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This work was supported by grants from: KIFonder (41700, 38188, 35508) to KCY, King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria Foundation to DR, The Lundbeck Foundation (grant R453-2024-326), the Research Council of Finland's Flagship InFLAMES (337530, 357910, and 359346), Sigrid Jusélius Foundation (8167), The Finnish Research Impact Foundation (FRIF, 687), The Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation (14-9436-31), Cancer Foundation Finland (69-7706) and The Swedish Medical Research Council (2022-02724) to CSN.
