Several previous studies have suggested that shingles vaccinations might reduce dementia risk, but most could not exclude the possibility that people who get vaccinated might have other dementia-protective characteristics, like healthier lifestyles, better diets or more years of education.

There have long been hints that certain viruses increase risk for later-in-life dementia, including the virus that causes chickenpox.

If you’re reducing risk of dementia 20%, that’s quite important in a public health context, says Oxford University researcher - Anadolu Ajansı