Amid a global spike in cases of Alzheimer’s disease, a study on Wednesday showed that the bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue can indicate the risk of poor brain function and the underlying neurodegenerative disease.
While certain mouth bacteria can boost better memory and attention, others were linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, said the researchers from the University of Exeter, in the UK.
The researchers found that the harmful bacteria may impact the brain by directly entering the bloodstream, potentially causing damage to the brain. Alternatively, it can also cause an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria.
This will reduce the conversion of nitrate (abundant in vegetable-rich diets) to nitric oxide -- a chemical crucial for brain communication and memory formation.
“Our findings suggest that some bacteria might be detrimental to brain health as people age,” said lead author Dr Joanna L’Heureux, of the University of Exeter Medical School. L’Heureux urged “for performing routine tests as part of dental checkups to measure bacterial levels and detect very early signs of declining brain health”.
The study, published in the journal PNAS Nexus, recruited 110 participants, over the age of 50 from an online study that tracks brain health. The team analysed mouth rinse samples and studied the bacteria population in them.
The results showed that people with large numbers of the bacteria groups Neisseria and Haemophilus had better memory, attention, and ability to do complex tasks. These people also had higher levels of nitrite in their mouths.
On the other hand, greater levels of the bacteria, Porphyromonas, were more common in individuals with memory problems.
Whereas the bacterial group Prevotella was linked to low nitrite, which the researchers predict could in turn mean poorer brain health and was more common in people who carry the Alzheimer’s Disease risk gene, APOE4.
Professor Anne Corbett, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said the findings may lead to solutions like “dietary changes, probiotics, oral hygiene routines, or even targeted treatments” to prevent dementia.
Over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras offering medicines at 50-90 pc lower prices daily: Nadda
Over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country are offering medicines at 50-90 per cent lower prices daily, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Jan Aushadhi Diwas on Friday.
Manipur: 196 weapons returned, security forces to launch operation to recover remaining looted arms
Responding to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's appeal, 196 looted and illegally held arms, including many sophisticated weapons, have returned to the police on Thursday, the last date of surrendering the arms, officials said.
Assam Rifles seize drugs valued at Rs 15.4 crore, smuggler held
In a major blow to the drug cartel and the perpetrators of drug business, the Assam Rifles troops apprehended a drug peddler and seized heroin valued Rs 15.4 crore in Manipur, officials said on Tuesday.
Govt committed to restoring lasting peace in Manipur, says HM Shah; reviews security with Guv, top officials
A top official in Imphal said that the Home Minister during the meeting with the senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Intelligence wings took stock of the security situation in Manipur, where President’s Rule was promulgated on February 13, four days after the Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned.
Apex Manipur tribal body reiterates Union Territory demand for Kuki-Zos
Over a dozen tribal organisations, led by their apex body, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), on Tuesday once again reiterated their demand for separate administration for the Kuki-Zo tribals in the form of a Union Territory under Article 239A of the Constitution.
Massive crackdown in Manipur against Meitei radical group; 26 held
Various security forces in Manipur have launched massive crackdowns against the militants on Friday with as many as 26 cadres of the Meitei radical groups apprehended, officials said.