A new study has found a possible link between a common stomach bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- pylori is found in about two-thirds of people around the world. It is known for causing stomach problems like indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, and even stomach cancer.
Now, researchers think it may also be connected to Alzheimer’s disease—the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s affects millions of people and causes memory loss, confusion, and other serious problems with thinking and behavior.
The study focused on people aged 50 and older and used health data from more than 4 million people in the United Kingdom, collected from 1988 to 2019. The researchers found that people with symptoms of H. pylori infection had an 11% higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s.
This is a big discovery because it adds to other research suggesting that infections might play a role in causing Alzheimer’s. Scientists are starting to look more closely at how things like bacteria and viruses could affect brain health.
The number of people with Alzheimer’s is expected to grow a lot in the coming decades as the population gets older. That’s why this kind of research is so important. Right now, there aren’t many effective treatments for Alzheimer’s, so finding ways to prevent it is critical.
Paul Brassard, the lead author of the study and a professor at McGill University, says this could be the start of something important. He believes that if we can treat or prevent H. pylori infections, we might also lower the risk of Alzheimer’s for some people.
This opens up new ideas for research and prevention. One possibility is to develop special programs to find and treat H. pylori infections in people who may be at risk. If doctors can prevent the infection, they might also be able to protect brain health.
Brassard, who also works in public health, hopes that this study will get more scientists and doctors thinking about how gut health and brain health are connected.
The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. It reminds us that many different things can contribute to Alzheimer’s, and the more we understand, the better we can try to prevent or manage the disease.
If you’re interested in brain health, you may also want to learn about other studies. Some show that not getting enough vitamin D is linked to dementia. Others suggest that eating more magnesium or antioxidants, or using coconut oil, might help improve brain function.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about Scientists find a new way to treat Alzheimer’s disease and findings of Fluctuating cholesterol and triglyceride levels are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about Scientists find root cause of tau tangles in Alzheimer’s disease and findings of new treatment for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
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