2024-01-04 13:19:32
A common stomach bacteria found in two-thirds of the world’s population known as “stomach bugs” may be linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests.
The study was conducted by researchers from McGill University in Canada, and was published in the journal Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The researchers studied whether clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori infection, with its symptoms, increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people aged 50 years or older.
Infection with this bacterium can lead to indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, and even stomach cancer.
A team of McGill University researchers analyzed health data for more than 4 million people in the United Kingdom aged 50 and over between 1988 and 2019. They found that people with symptoms of H. pylori (stomach bacteria) infection had an 11% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s is a common type of dementia. While the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is multifaceted, the findings suggest a potential role of infection, particularly Helicobacter pylori, in its development. The study opens up prospects for future research, particularly exploring whether eliminating these bacteria can effectively prevent Alzheimer’s disease in some people.
Millions of people
Researchers say Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people globally, and the numbers are expected to rise sharply with the demographic shift.
“Given the world’s aging population, the number of people with dementia is expected to triple over the next 40 years,” said Dr. Paul Brassard, senior author of the study and a professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University. “However, there is still a lack of effective treatment options for this disease.” .
“We hope that the results of this research will provide insight into the potential role of H. pylori in dementia in order to inform the development of prevention strategies, to reduce infection at a population level,” Dr. Brassard added.
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