A new study has found a link between gum disease and greater rates of cognitive decline in people with early stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Gum disease is common in older people and may become more common in Alzheimer’s patients because of a reduced ability to care for themselves, says the report on sciencedaily.com.
Higher levels of antibodies to periodontal bacteria are associated with increased levels of inflammation in the body, which in turn has been linked to greater rates of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease in earlier studies.
The newest study, by researchers at the University of Southampton, sought to find out if gum disease is associated with increased dementia severity and progression of cognitive decline in those with Alzheimer’s.
The authors concluded that gum disease is associated with an increase in cognitive decline in those with Alzheimer’s, possibly due to mechanisms linked to the body’s inflammatory response.
If you have questions about elder care, feel free to contact us for a consultation at (626) 696-3145 .
