Bacteria in Brains Suggest Alzheimer’s-Gum Disease Link

[xchrom]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-29/bacteria-in-brains-suggest-alzheimer-s-gum-disease-link.html

Bacteria linked to gum disease traveled to the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that dental hygiene plays a role in the development of the memory-robbing illness, British researchers said.

Signs of the bacterium, known as Porphyromonas gingivalis, were found in four out of 10 samples of brain tissue from Alzheimer’s patients, while no signs of the bug were found in 10 brains from people of similar age who never developed dementia, according to the results of the study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The findings support a theory that bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream through chewing or tooth removal and end up in other parts of the body including the brain, StJohn Crean, the lead researcher, said in a telephone interview. Over time, the chemicals produced by the bacteria could build up and contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s, according to the theory.

“The results are very encouraging,” said Crean, the dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Central Lancashire in England. “We’ve shown an association, not causation. It does nothing more than to prove that these bacteria do get to the brain.”

[Chemisse]

1. I wonder if Alzheimer's makes the brain more susceptible to bacterial infiltration.

Since it causes a structural change.

[xchrom]

2. which comes first? i don't know. nt

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Gimme What I Want!

My close relative with mild transient forgetfulness and blending
took a turn toward episodes of daily dementia episodes after
changing diet toward ice cream's potent sweeteners and liquid vitamins.

I do feel in retrospect that played a definite role, but I didn't realize
it at the time.

The idea that those nutrients and simple raw carbs contributed
in part through oral bacteria makes sense to me. Though in good
oral health, there was one empty tooth socket and skipped
cleanings plus the dietary changes to attempt to maintain weight.

All things have an impact on health. In old age the room for error
is diminished.

Read up on ice cream sweeteners and thickeners. There are some
you might want to avoid.

[bluemarkers]

4. oh my goodness

My fil ate ice cream every day, (combined with a high carb low veggie diet) smoked a pipe and only went to the dentist when he had to... incidental, I know, but we've never connected dental hygiene to his dementia and Alzheimers.

[Android3.14]

5. Small sample, sequence of conditions

Ten samples? There should be a much larger population before publishing results.
Plus, folks with Alzheimer's deteriorate when it comes to hygiene. It is unsurprising that folks with Alzheimer's have gum disease.
Certainly worth more study, and it is good advice to brush your teeth, but it seems more likely a dental industry PR.

[nashville_brook]

6. another reason dental care must be accessible to Americans.

[BadgerKid]

7. "Access to" can involve a lot of things.

There can be myriad challenges (especially for lower income people) in getting to the doctor/dentist.

EDIT: It also included the fact relatively few dentists accept plans like Medicaid.

[nashville_brook]

8. accessible/affordable/free

all those.