Scientists from Sichuan University in China have discovered a possible mechanism by which Treponema denticola , a common oral pathogen known to cause periodontitis, causes Alzheimer’s disease . Chronic periodontitis is a known risk factor, with patients three times more likely to suffer from some forms of cognitive impairment than those with mild or no periodontitis. In this 24-week study, 20 8-week-old mice were administered T. denticol a .
The researchers evaluated three factors: The concentration of bacterial DNA in the mice hippocampi Levels and localization of phosphorylated Tau Microglial activation and levels of proinflammatory markers in the brain. They found that: T. denticola colonized the hippocampus and induced beta-amyloid aggregation via tau hyperphosphorylation at Ser396, Thr181, and Thr231 residues. The bacteria activated the proinflammatory pathways to promote this…
