The connection between the mouth and the brain is becoming an increasingly important area of Alzheimer’s research.
A major suspect is Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium strongly associated with chronic gum disease. Researchers have detected this bacterium and some of its toxic enzymes, called gingipains, in brain tissue from people with Alzheimer’s.
Scientists think chronic periodontal infection could influence the brain in several ways. Bacteria or their components may enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums, while persistent inflammation elsewhere in the body may also contribute to inflammation in the brain.
Laboratory and animal studies suggest P. gingivalis can trigger neuroinflammation and processes involving amyloid-beta and tau—the two proteins most strongly associated with Alzheimer’s pathology.
A major 2026 review found that people with periodontitis had about a 1.5-times higher observed risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the researchers rated the overall certainty of this evidence as very low, meaning association does not yet prove that gum disease causes Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is a complex disease involving age, genetics, cardiovascular health and numerous biological processes. The emerging “oral-brain axis” suggests the mouth may be one additional piece of that much larger puzzle rather than a single explanation for the disease.
It gives researchers another reason to investigate oral health as part of whole-body health—and whether preventing or treating chronic gum inflammation could eventually help reduce neurological risk.
Source: Special Care in Dentistry; hLife; National Institute on Aging
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
