Common stomach bacteria found in two-thirds of the world's population, known as “gut bugs,” may be linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.
The study was conducted by researchers at McGill University in Canada, and was published in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Researchers examined whether Helicobacter pylori infection, along with its symptoms, increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people age 50 or older.
Infection with this bacterium can lead to indigestion, gastritis, ulcers and stomach cancer.
A team of McGill University researchers analyzed health data for more than 4 million people aged 50 and over in the United Kingdom between 1988 and 2019. They found that people with symptoms of H. pylori (stomach bacteria) infection had an 11% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. Although the cause of Alzheimer's disease is multifactorial, the findings suggest a possible role of infection, particularly Helicobacter pylori, in its development. The study opens up opportunities for future research, particularly investigating whether eliminating these bacteria can effectively prevent Alzheimer's disease in some people.
Millions of people
Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people worldwide, and the number is expected to rise sharply with demographic change, researchers say.
“Given the world's aging population, the number of people with dementia is expected to triple over the next 40 years,” said Dr. Paul Brassard, senior author of the study and a professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University. “However, there are still no effective treatment options for this disease.”
“We hope the results of this research will provide insight into the potential role of H. pylori in dementia, which can inform the development of prevention strategies and reduce infection at a population level,” added Dr. Brassard.
