Alzheimer's Disease Cause Linked to Gum Disease, Research Says

Scientists at the University of Louisville are now looking at gum infections as a probable cause for Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers discovered that a bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis, can be the culprit for the deadly disease after founding the same strain in brains of the deceased Alzheimer's patients.

P. gingivalis is the pathogen for chronic periodontitis or gum disease, a common factor found in many people who suffer from dementia.

A paper linking Alzheimer's to gum disease was first published in January 2019 in Science Advances.

The Washington Post reported similar findings from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, stating that dental hygiene can prevent dementia and other health problems.

New Breakthroughs in Curing Alzheimer's Disease

With the discovery of the bacteria causing Alzheimer's, many scientists are now conducting experiments on how to cure the disease via antibiotics.

Test trials on mice using a drug named COR388 proved to be successful in targeting P. gingivalis brain infections.

The drug was also effective in reducing neuroinflammation, one of the main symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

The presence of inflammation in the brain affects neurons' activity and causes cell death, hence memory loss.

Scientists at the Alzheimer's Research that it is "important that we test as many approaches as possible to tackle diseases like Alzheimer's."

There has been no development for a total cure for dementia and Alzheimer's for over 15 years now.

Current Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease

While there is still no definitive cure for the memory-robbing disease, medical practitioners have devised various treatments and medications to slow down its effects.

Drugs like galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are being prescribed to patients to reduce cognitive and behavioral decline associated with Alzheimer's.

Memory simulation activities are also being recommended to keep people's brains more active, especially their recollection abilities.

More than 55 million people suffer from dementia with 10 million being diagnosed with the disease each year. Only 1% of the patients were able to succeed in the disease from treatments.