Research suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may not be solely caused by aging, but also by infection. A recent study found a strong link between gum disease and the deadly spread of Alzheimer’s. The pathogen behind chronic periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, was discovered in the brains of deceased Alzheimer’s patients.
The study, led by Jan Potempa, a microbiologist from the University of Louisville, reported that oral infection with the bacteria led to brain colonization and increased production of amyloid beta, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s. Further experiments with mice showed that oral infection caused brain colonization and increased amyloid beta production.
The researchers found that toxic enzymes called gingipains secreted by the bacteria correlated with two markers of Alzheimer’s disease: tau protein and ubiquitin. The presence of these toxins was also detected in the brains of people who were never diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, suggesting a potential early event in the development of the disease.
The study provides a promising lead for new treatments, including a compound called COR388 that showed promise in reducing bacterial load and amyloid-beta production. While more research is needed, the findings offer hope for tackling this devastating disease.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/the-cause-of-alzheimers-might-be-coming-from-within-your-mouth