New Study Reveals Link Between Gum Disease and Brain Function Impairment in Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals, Highlighting Potential Early Risk Factor for Alzheimer Disease

A new study conducted in HeFei, AnHui, China has been published in the American Academy of Periodontology’s academic journal: Journal of Periodontology (JOP).

CHICAGO – January 9, 2024- A new research study published in the American Academy of Periodontology’s (AAP) scientific journal, the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), reveals a link between gum disease (periodontitis) and changes in brain function. The research suggests that periodontitis may contribute to altered brain function, potentially increasing the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease, even in individuals with initially “normal cognition.”

Drs. Wei Ye, Yufei Tao, Wenrui Wang, Yongqiang Yu, and Xiaoshu Li decided to look at the potential effects of periodontitis on brain functional connectivity in the normal cognition stage to provide clues as to what leads to Alzheimer disease, and the potential benefits of earlier awareness for prevention. According to the researchers, “Recent research has proposed that periodontitis is a potential risk factor for Alzheimer disease. However, the relationship between periodontitis and the brain function of middle-aged and elderly individuals with normal cognition remains unclear.”

The researchers studied the oral health and brain activity of 51 individuals—11 participants with no periodontitis, 14 participants with mild periodontitis, and 26 participants with moderate-to-severe periodontitis. They used two methods: one to analyze patterns in the brain and another to look at their gum health. Then, they examined how the two sets of data might be related or connected.

Changed intranetwork and internetwork brain functional connectivity was found in the moderate-to-severe periodontitis group, and periodontitis was associated with brain network function impairment. These findings further suggest that treating gum disease could play a role in preventing Alzheimer disease.

Read the JOP article here for more information regarding data, results, and findings.

 

About the American Academy of Periodontology

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) represents nearly 7,500 periodontists—specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontics is one of 12 dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.