A theory put forward by a group of health experts in 2019, who argued that something in the mouth could actually be a concern for the memory-impacting condition.
The signs of Alzheimer’s present themselves when parts of the brain shrink (a process known as atrophy), which impacts on the structure and function of specific areas of the organ – as per the NHS.
The reason of this shrinkage is a mixture of age-related changes in the brain, as well as genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors.
Why the mouth has a vital part to play in the early stages of Alzheimer’s?
The pathogen behind chronic gum disease (a condition known officially as periodontitis) was also found in the brains of deceased Alzheimer’s patients according to another paper submitted by University of Louisville microbiologist Jan Potempa,
These instances aren’t the first times a ralation between mouth health and Alzheimer’s was discovered, however.
An increase in the production of amyloid beta – the bodily proteins commonly connected with Alzheimer’s – was also found.
Stephen Dominy – co-founder of pharma startup Cortexyme, which organised the research time – shared press at the time: “Infectious agents have been implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease before, but the evidence of causation hasn’t been convincing.”
He added: “Now, for the first time, we have solid evidence connecting the intracellular, Gram-negative pathogen, P. gingivalis, and Alzheimer’s pathogenesis.”
Dominy’s team also discovered toxic enzymes called gingipains, which had been hidden by the gum disease bacteria in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
They were also spotted in the brains of several deceased individuals who had not received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Meanwhile there appears to be a connection, it’s still largely unknown whether gum disease causes Alzheimer;s, or whether dementia causes poor mouth and gum health.
