Periodontitis can accelerate the development of Alzheimer’s disease – BBC Russian

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Image caption Researchers believe that gum disease may contribute to the deterioration of brain function

Chronic gum disease may be associated with decreased cognitive abilities in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

In the PLOS ONE journal published the results a study conducted on 59 people with symptoms of dementia.

Researchers believe that gum disease may contribute to the deterioration of brain function. Inflammatory disease may be, in their words, to accelerate the process of developing dementia.

Inflammatory diseases lead to an increase in the size of immune cells, and this increase has long been observed in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The study authors It believed that the results indicate that this inflammation may accelerate disease progression. However, they also note that since the study was conducted with the participation of only 59 people, to draw final conclusions prematurely.

Researchers at Southampton University and King’s College in London analyzed the cognitive patient abilities, as well as taking have blood tests to check for the presence of inflammation markers.

Status of oral checked dental hygienists, who was not aware of the cognitive test results.

of the 59 people who took part in study, 22 severe periodontitis was found. In 37 of gum disease were less pronounced. The average age of patients with periodontal disease was 75 years and in people with healthier gums -. 79

Almost all (52 of 59) participants in the study were re-tested six months

The results indicate. that people with periodontitis rate of decline in cognitive abilities is six times higher than in people with healthy gums.

Elevated levels of antibodies to periodontal bacteria is associated with an increase in the number of inflammatory molecules in other parts of the body, which in its turn, apparently associated with reduced cognitive ability in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Professor Clive Holmes of the University of Southampton calls the results of the study are very interesting, but adds that it involved too few people to to draw final conclusions.

He also said that the researchers took into account the fact that gum disease among patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, may occur more often, as they are often unable to properly monitor the hygiene of the oral cavity .

As part of the 2009 study found that about 80% of Britons aged over 55 have symptoms of gum disease.

Nearly half a million people in the UK suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.