A Study That Collects Participant Data and Biospecimens to Analyze Pathogenic Exosomes That Mediate Increased Vascular Dementia Risk in Individuals With Herpes Zoster.

The purpose of this observational research study is to study if patients with herpes zoster, also known as Shingles, have a higher risk of vascular dysfunction (problems with blood vessels, including stroke) and vascular dementia (problems with mental decline as a result of decreased blood flow to the brain) compared to patients without herpes zoster. Patients are evaluated based on the group they are assigned too: 1. Herpes Zoster (HZ) Group: individuals presenting with untreated herpes zoster. These participants will have 6 visits: * Day 1 = 1st day presenting to clinic with acute zoster * 7 days post zoster * 1 month after Day 1 * 3 months after Day 1 * 6 months after Day 1 * 12 months after Day 1 2. Control Group: individuals without herpes zoster o Day 1 (only 1 visit will be completed) This study does not have a study medication/device. Standard of care for all patients will be followed.

NCT Number	NCT06903078
Lead Sponsor	Center for Clinical Studies, Texas Collaborators: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Conditions	Herpes Zoster (HZ), Vascular Dementia
Enrollment	375 participants
Start Date	2025-02-13
Primary Completion	2029-07-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-08 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-12-11