2024 Alzheimer's Association Research Grant (AARG)
Oral Health: A Window to Improve Systemic Immune Response in AD Patients
Can treating a type of gum disease help prevent brain inflammation and promote memory and overall health in people with Alzheimer’s?
Marta Sochocka, Ph.D.
Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy Polish Academy of Sciences
Wroclaw, Poland
Background
Brain inflammation has been linked to brain cell damage and declines in cognition (brain function) in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that inflammation in areas surrounding the brain (or “peripheral” inflammation) may also affect Alzheimer's progression. One type of peripheral inflammation is caused by periodontal disease (PeD), an infection of the gums and other tissues surrounding the teeth. Periodontal disease often involves both inflammation and high levels of harmful bacteria, and it affects about half of people over age 55. Moreover, because of its proximity to the brain, periodontal inflammation may be closely involved in Alzheimer's disease.
In preliminary studies, Dr. Marta Sochocka and colleagues have been examining how periodontal disease impacts people with Alzheimer’s. They found that the disease promotes higher levels of inflammation-related proteins in the individuals’ brains, and it is associated with longer-lasting brain inflammation and worse performance on cognitive tests. They also found that these associations may differ between men and women.
Research Plan
Dr. Sochocka and the team will now conduct a larger study of periodontal disease in Alzheimer’s. For this effort, they will recruit about 100 participants with Alzheimer’s who either have or don’t have the oral disorder. The researchers plan to determine how PeD – and the inflammation and bacterial changes linked to PeD – impact memory, quality of life, and behavior in their participants. They will also assess how these interactions may differ in men and women. The team will then explore how various periodontal disease treatments (such as improved teeth brushing and flossing) may slow or prevent PeD-related damage to brain and mental health.
Impact
Dr. Sochocka’s study could help clarify the role of periodontal disease in dementia, as well as the biological mechanisms underlying that role. It could also lead to novel oral therapies for improving brain health in people with dementia.