Scientists have found that mice infected with a certain type of oral bacteria have a faster progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms compared to uninfected animals.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine found that the widespread bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum promotes the progression of both periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s. Jake Jinkun Chen, professor of periodontics and head of the department of oral biology, and his colleagues believe that fighting the pathogen F. nucleatum can slow the progression of these diseases.
Harmful effect of F. nucleatum known from other fields of medicine
F. nucleatum is already associated with a number of diseases such as premature birth and colon cancer. In periodontal disease, the bacteria attack the gums and jaw, resulting in loose teeth and tooth loss. They may also worsen inflammation, which previous studies have shown to lead to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
In Chen’s latest study, the scientists found that F. nucleatum induces abnormal growth of microglial cells in mice. These are immune cells in the brain that remove damaged neurons and maintain the health of the central nervous system. The abnormal growth of microglial cells leads to inflammation, which is believed to be critical to the progression of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s patients.
“Our studies show that F. nucleatum can decrease memory and thinking ability in mice via certain signaling pathways,” Chen said. “This is a red flag for researchers and clinicians alike. In this study, our lab is the first to find that F. nucleatum can cause systemic inflammation and even infiltrate tissues of the nervous system and worsen the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” Chen said in a Tufts University statement.
Connection between periodontal diseases and Alzheimer’s not directly confirmed
Researchers have suspected possible links between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s in the past. However, this recent study does not show that periodontal disease is related F. nucleatum leads directly to Alzheimer’s, but rather suggests that if left untreated, it might worsen the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Ultimately, Chen says, his team’s findings should be a sign for doctors to pay attention to the oral health of patients, especially those who are in the early stages of cognitive impairment. He thinks it’s possible that effective treatment for periodontal disease might slow the progression of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
To the Study.
Those: eurekalert.org
