The study suggests that bacteria that attack the mouth may be linked to Alzheimer’s.

In a 2019 article published in the journal Science AdvancesResearchers have found associations between bacteria that cause chronic periodontitis and Alzheimer’s disease.

The causes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are still unclear and under constant scrutiny.

With the possibility of multifactorial causes, infectious processes have gained ground as possible causes of Alzheimer’s.

Theoretically, these infections could trigger the malfunctioning of certain brain proteins, causing progressive neuronal death and Alzheimer’s symptoms.

And this infection can happen where you least expect it. It can happen in your mouth, according to researchers at the drug startup Cortexyme.

According to the study, evidence of the presence of a bacterium called p in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients was found.orphyromonas gingivalis, responsible for causing chronic periodontitis.

However, seeing signs of bacteria in brain tissue would not be a justification for establishing the relationship.

Later, in tests with infected mice, P. gums, Dysfunction of two important brain proteins associated with AD can be observed.

The changes in Tau protein, which affects the structure of axons, and Ubiquitin, which acts by making biochemical marks on cells that need to be lysed, were very similar to those that occur in AD.

It has also been observed that ß-amyloid plaques are formed by the effect of an enzyme, gengipain. P. gumProven to be toxic in tests in a laboratory setting and in vivo🇧🇷

But researchers didn’t just hint at the link between infection and disease. In their study, they tested treatment possibilities.

Using an experimental compound administered to test animals, they were able to reduce bacterial infection and also achieved a reduction in the formation of ß-amyloid plaques in neurons.

At the time of publication in 2019, the compound only worked in mice.

While the researchers are cautious, they are excited about the possibilities the research provides that could lead to the development of new treatments for the treatment of dementia for the first time in 15 years.