Latest news with #Haemophilus
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Your Dentist May Be Able to Identify a New Sign of Alzheimer's
Just like your gut and reproductive organs, your mouth has its very own microbiome that plays a role in your health and wellness. Now, new research suggests that certain bacteria in your mouth could play a role in your risk of developing Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease is a complicated condition, with many different factors that influence when and if a person develops it. But the latest findings suggest what's happening in your mouth could be linked on some level with your brain health. Here's the deal. Meet the expert: Jennifer Bramen, PhD, is a senior research scientist and director of neuroimaging at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD, is dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine The study, published in PNAS Nexus, looked at 110 people over the age of 50 who participated in an online study that tracks brain health of middle-aged people in the UK. The participants were broken into two groups: One group had no detectable decline in brain function, while the others had mild cognitive impairment, a condition where people have more memory or thinking problems than others their age. People with mild cognitive impairment are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The study participants provided the scientists with mouth rinse samples, which were then analyzed, allowing the researchers to break down the bacteria contained in each sample. The researchers discovered that certain bacteria found in the participants' mouths were linked with having better memory and attention; Others were associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease. Which bacteria are associated with memory and attention? This study found that people who had large amounts of the bacteria Neisseria and Haemophilus had better memory and attention. They also could do complex tasks more easily, based on the findings. Which bacteria are linked with memory loss? The researchers found that people who had higher levels of the bacteria Porphyromonas (a key pathogen in chronic periodontitis) in their mouths were more likely to have memory problems. The bacteria Prevotella (also commonly found in peridontel disease) was also associated with people having the gene APOE4, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease. There have been several studies that have linked bacteria in the mouth to dementia. Research has generally suggested that having higher levels of harmful bacteria in the mouth may raise the risk of bodily inflammation, which could potentially also raise the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The researchers in this study theorized that harmful bacteria could get into the bloodstream and damage the brain, raising the risk of Alzheimer's disease. They also suggest that a bacterial imbalance could impact how much nitric oxide is formed from nitrate, a compound in vegetables. Nitric oxide is important for memory and communication in the brain. But it's hard to say for sure that the bacteria causes dementia or issues with brain health, says Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD, dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. 'We need to be careful not to assert a cause and effect when both of these things may just be happening at the same time,' he says. 'People can have bad gum disease, and lots of bacteria, and develop Alzheimer's disease. Did one cause the other or did they just both occur because we weren't taking good care of our mouth while we were developing the Alzheimer's disease?' Eating a plant-based diet seems to be a good start, according to Jennifer Bramen, PhD, a senior research scientist and director of neuroimaging at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Adding nitrate-rich foods like veggies into your diet 'can benefit the oral microbiome by promoting bacteria associated with better oral and cognitive health outcomes,' she says. This may also help to suppress bacteria that's linked with dementia, Bramen explains. Again, it's hard to say at this point that these bacteria cause Alzheimer's disease, they're just linked. But it's never a bad idea to up your veggie intake. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
BBC News
17-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mouth bacteria 'may indicate future brain health'
Certain bacteria found in people's mouths may be linked to changes in brain function as you age, experts have study, led by the University of Exeter, found certain types of bacteria were associated with better memory and attention, while others were linked to poor brain health and Alzheimer's author Dr Joanna L'Heureux said: "We might be able to predict if you have the Alzheimer's gene even before you start getting problems or think about going to the doctor for a diagnosis."The research is in early stages but study leads say they are now investigating whether eating certain healthy foods, such as nitrate-rich leafy greens, can influence brain health by boosting certain bacteria. Co-author Prof Anne Corbett said: "The implication of our research is profound."She said: "If certain bacteria support brain function while others contribute to decline, then treatments that alter the balance of bacteria in the mouth could be part of a solution to prevent dementia. "This could be through dietary changes, probiotics, oral hygiene routines, or even targeted treatments."The study recruited 115 volunteers, over the age of 50, who had already carried out cognitive tests as part of another split them into two groups - those with no issues with their brain function decline and those with some mild cognitive problems. The participants in both groups sent in mouth rinse samples that were then analysed and the bacteria populations studied. The university said people who had large numbers of the bacteria groups Neisseria and Haemophilus had better memory, attention and ability to do complex tasks. However, Dr L'Heureux said she found greater levels of the bacteria, Porphyromonas, in individuals with memory she said, the bacterial group Prevotella was linked to low nitrite, which was more common in people that carried the Alzheimer's disease risk L'Heureux said: "We would recommend you have things like beetroot. leafy greens like spinach, rocket, lettuces, lots of salads and reduce consumption of things like alcohol and highly processed sugary foods." Leafy greens are some of the biggest natural sources of nitrates. Prof Anni Vanhatalo, associate pro-vice chancellor for research and impact at the university, said: "In the future, we could collect these [mouth] samples as part of GP appointments and get them processed to give an early indication if someone is at elevated risk."
