There are many competing theories about what causes Alzheimer's disease. For more than 30 years, Ruth Itzhaki has been accumulating evidence that viruses are involved in its development in the brain.

We investigate this evidence in the third episode of Uncharted Brain: Decoding Dementia, a new podcast series available via the anthill podcast.

Itzhaki, a neurobiologist at the University of Manchester, believes the common cold sore virus (herpes simplex 1 or HSV1) could be playing a vital role in Alzheimer's. But she has faced years of hostility from many within the scientific community who didn't take the theory seriously.

Reflecting on a career dedicated to one of the more controversial lines of research, she told us:

Now, though, it seems the tide of opinion is at last turning in Itzhaki's favour. More researchers have begun developing the research she pioneered, with an anti-viral trial for Alzheimer's – the first ever – now taking place at Columbia University Medical Center in the US. The leader of that trial, D.P. Devanand told us:

Listen to the full episode to hear more about the role that viruses may play in Alzheimer's, from some of the scientists at the forefront of this research. You can also read an article that ruth itzhaki wrote about her research as part of The Conversation's insights project .

Uncharted Brain: Decoding Dementia is hosted by Paul Keaveny, investigations editor at The Conversation in the UK, and Gemma Ware, co-host of The Conversation Weekly podcast. The series is produced and written by Tiffany Cassidy, with sound design by Eloise Stevens. The executive producer is Gemma Ware.

All episodes of the series are available on the anthill podcast channel.

You can find us on Twitter @tc_audio , on Instagram at theconversationdotcom or via email . You can also sign up to The Conversation's free daily email here .

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