Hmm… Very interesting! 🤔🤨

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK, and its exact cause is still not fully understood. Age, genetics, depression, and cardiovascular health are all known risk factors.

In recent years, some research has explored whether infections may play a role in its development. One area of interest involves gum disease and oral bacteria.

A 2019 study led by researchers including Jan Potempa found that the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis—a major cause of chronic gum disease—was detected in the brains of some deceased individuals with Alzheimer’s.

This bacterium produces enzymes called gingipains, which have been linked in laboratory studies to brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s, including the presence of amyloid-beta and tau proteins.