The connection between Alzheimers and viral disease has been known and studied for some time, particularly but not exclusively for Herpes Simplex 1. The dead end pursuit of amyloid plaques as causative has delayed other research for decades. (In fact one hypothesis is that the plaques are a natural antiviral defense mechanism in the brain to try to slow down viral infection.) It's time to take a much closer look at viral disease, possibly including influenza, as a fundamental cause.