Cold sores may play a role in the development of Alzheimers disease, according to a new study published in BMJ Open.Researchers examined 344,628 "case-control pairs." The pairs were matched in age, sex, geographical region and number of healthcare visits but one had Alzheimer's disease and one did not.Of the groups studied, 1,507 people with Alzheimers also had herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is the most common cause of cold sores. Only 823 people in the control group had HSV-1.FIRST BLOOD TEST FOR ALZHEIMERS DIAGNOSIS CLEARED BY FDAAmong these 2,330 people, 40% used anti-herpetic medication following their diagnosis.Those who were treated for the virus were 17% less likely to develop Alzheimers disease than those who didnt use the treatments, the study found.The risk of developing this form of dementia is known to rise with age. However, the chance of an HSV-1 diagnosis was 80% higher in those diagnosed with Alzheimers, according to the research.Less commonly, cold sores can be caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE COULD BE PREVENTED BY ANTIVIRAL DRUG ALREADY ON MARKETThe analysis places "an even greater emphasis on viewing the prevention of herpes viruses as a public health priority," the researchers said in a press release.Overall, women made up 65% of the Alzheimers cases. Their average age was 73, and they tended to have more co-existing conditions, which were all risk factors.The study also observed the potential role of other herpes viruses, some of which were associated with an elevated risk of Alzheimers disease.The specific connection between viruses like HSV-1 and heightened dementia risk isnt clear, the researchers noted.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER"However, studies have shown that inflammatory alterations in the brain caused by HSV infection are pivotal in [Alzheimers disease] development," they said in the release.Treatment with anti-viral therapy seems to lower the risk of Alzheimers, "suggesting that HSV-1 treatment may be protective," the study says."There's no cure for cold sores, but treatment can help manage outbreaks," according to Mayo Clinic."Prescription antiviral medicine or creams can help sores heal more quickly. And they may make future outbreaks happen less often and be shorter and less serious."There were some limitations in the study, the researchers acknowledged."Due to limited data history, HSV-1 infections prior to the patients database entry were not included in the analysis, and it is possible that some overlap exists between HSV-1 and HSV-2 diagnoses," the researchers noted."Additionally, many individuals with HSV-1 infection are asymptomatic, and others may not seek medical care during recurrences and are therefore not clinically diagnosed and recorded in the database."While an estimated two-thirds of people under 50 are infected with HSV-1, data on symptomatic infections is limited, "as manifestations can be mild or unnoticed," the researchers added.For more Health articles, visitwww.foxnews.com/healthUnder-diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease could also skew the results.Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers and other doctors for comment.

Police in Boston, Massachusetts, identified a man allegedly caught on camera hitting someone's car with a hatchet in an apparent road rage incident.The Boston Police Department announced that 27-year-old Andrew Oprian had been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and willful and malicious destruction of property, according to Boston 25.Police said that Oprian allegedly chased someone with his car "at a high rate of speed" on May 16, causing the other person to crash.After allegedly causing the other car to crash, Oprian got out of his car and assaulted the victim. Oprian went on to repeatedly smash the victim's car with a hatchet, breaking the windows and windshield, according to police.MOTORIST ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO RUN DRIVER OF TESLA OFF THE ROAD AT HIGH SPEEDS: REPORTVideo released by the Boston Police Department shows an individual repeatedly hitting the car, which crashed into a tree.Matt Silva, who witnessed the incident, told Boston 25 the victim had no idea why the suspect was following him.ARIZONA SUSPECT IN BUS STOP HATCHET ATTACK CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER VICTIM DIES"He had no idea why the guy had been following him. He had no clue. He was shocked," Silva said."As soon as he sticks his head out of the car and pulls his key out, some random dude from behind him starts swinging a hatchet at him," he added.Silva said the suspect looked like he was enraged and couldn't be reasoned with at the time. The suspect allegedly chased the victim on the sidewalk with a hatchet, according to witnesses.

President Donald Trump hosted a swanky dinner last night for the top investors of his $TRUMP meme coin project, telling them "The Biden administration persecuted crypto innovators and were bringing them back into the USA where they belong," reports said.The event at the Trump National Golf Club Washington DC in Potomac Falls, Va., was open to the 220 largest buyers of Trumps meme coin, with the top 25 getting "an ultra-exclusive private VIP reception with the President."The Wall Street Journal, citing blockchain analytics firm Inca Digital,reported that around $148 million worth of $TRUMP was purchased by investors to win seats at the dinner, where guests had to pass background checks."The Biden administration persecuted crypto innovators, and were bringing them back into the U.S.A. where they belong," it quoted Trump telling the audience Thursday night, whodined on filet mignon and halibut.TRUMP CRYPTO CHIEF SAYS WE ARE IN THE GOLDEN AGE FOR DIGITAL ASSETS, CLEARING THE DECK OF BIDEN BARRIERSProtesters gathered outside the club holding signs that said "stop crypto corruption" and "no corrupt fools.""The past administration made your lives miserable," Trump was also quoted by the New York Times as saying, in reference to President Bidens regulations against cryptocurrency."There is a lot of sense in crypto. A lot of common sense in crypto," Trump reportedly added. "And were honored to be working on helping everybody here."According to participants' posts on social media, Trump spoke for about half an hour before dancing to the song "YMCA."Despite the White House insisting that Trump would be attending the event "in his personal time," he stood behind a lectern with the presidential seal.HOUSE DEMOCRATS STORM OUT OF CRYPTOCURRENCY HEARING, ALLEGING TRUMP CORRUPTIONThree days before Trump took office on Jan. 20, he announced the creation of the $TRUMP meme coin, describingas a way for his supporters to "have fun."Trumps meme coin saw an initial spike in value, followed by a steep drop. Its creators, which include an entity controlled by the Trump Organization, have made hundreds of millions of dollars by collecting fees on trades, according to the Associated Press.Critics have raised concerns that the president's connection withcryptocurrency ventures could open the door to conflicts of interest and influence peddling.TRUMP LAUNCHES HIS OWN CRYPTOCURRENCY MEME COINWhen asked by a reporter Thursday if "anyone in the White House or in the White House counsel's office advise the president against holding this sweepstakes, whereby people who spent the most money on his Trump coin would then have access to the president at this time", Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump "is abiding by all conflict-of-interest laws that are applicable to the president.""And I think everybody, the American public, believe it's absurd for anyone to insinuate that this president is profiting off of the presidency," she added. "This president was incredibly successful before giving it all up to serve our country publicly. And not only has he lost wealth, but he also almost lost his life. He has sacrificed a lot to be here, and to suggest otherwise is, frankly, completely absurd."The biggest investor in Trumps meme coin, Chinese billionaire Justin Sun who spent more than $40 million -- told the New York Times outside of the event Thursday that "Im very excited to meet him and discuss about cryptos future."Among those protesting outside the golf club were Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon."This is the crypto corruption club," Merkley was quoted by the Times as saying. "This is like the Mount Everest of corruption."FOX Business Eric Revell and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Oklahoma City Thunder took a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference Finals, but it did not come without some tensions rising before the final whistle.OKC was beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-86 with just over six minutes to go. The New York Knicks recently showed that that was not an insurmountable lead.However, the Wolves were frustrated with their performance, and one player went after the NBA MVP.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMShai Gilgeous-Alexander was on the court just 24 hours after receiving the prestigious honor, the first of his career, and he reminded people why he deserved it with 38 points.However, Jaden McDaniels shoved him from behind, resulting in a flagrant 1 foul.Several players had to be separated from one another.McDaniels wanted a foul called on Gilgeous-Alexander for grabbing McDaniels' arm, to which McDaniels then retaliated. After the game, McDaniels said he then wanted to foul the MVP "for real."NBA REFEREE SCOTT FOSTER BLOODIED AFTER TAKING HIT TO FACE DURING PLAYOFF GAME"I wasn't even mad. I just had fouls to use," McDaniels explained, via CBS Sports.The Thunder won the game, 118-103, and are now two wins away from making their first NBA Finals since 2012.Jalen Williams had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Chet Holmgren added 22 points for the Thunder.Minnesota closed to within 10 in the final period, but Oklahoma City kept the Timberwolves at bay late.Anthony Edwards scored 32 points, but it took him 26 shots to get them. Jaden McDaniels scored 22 points, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 17 for the Timberwolves.Now, Minnesota gets to go home, where they are 4-1 in the playoffs. Game 3 is Saturday in Minneapolis.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Republican California state Sen. Tony Strickland explains what the Golden State needs to do next to make it an affordable place to live again.

Former Trump senior advisor Kellyanne Conway weighs in after Republicans called for key Biden aides to testify on the concealment of the former president's decline.

Kyle Larson will be racing both the Coca-Cola 600 and Indy 500 on the same day this weekend.

Johnson also accused the president of having "animus towards women, people of color, [and] working people."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joins 'America's Newsroom' to discuss a possible 50% tariff on the European Union, a 25% tariff on Apple, possible Senate changes to Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' and the push to modernize the IRS.

Vice President JD Vance speaks at the United States Naval Academy graduation and commissioning ceremony in Annapolis, Maryland.