A new study suggests the shingles vaccine may lower the likelihood of developing dementia as well as slow its progression in people who have already been diagnosed with the disease.

Researchers are finding more evidence that certain herpes viruses, such as shingles, which can infect the nervous system, might play a role in causing dementia.

An initial study published in Nature and a follow-up study conducted by Stanford Medicine, published in the journal Cell on Dec. 2, show the shingles vaccination may also have therapeutic benefits against dementia by reducing the disease's progression and lowering the chance of dying from it.