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Recent research published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association indicates a potential link between a prevalent stomach bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, in individuals aged 50 and above.
While H. pylori infections are known to cause digestive issues such as indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, and even stomach cancer, this study, conducted by a team of McGill University researchers, delved into whether clinically apparent H. pylori infections heightened Alzheimer’s risk.
Analyzing health data from over 4 million individuals aged 50 in the UK, the study revealed a noteworthy finding: individuals with symptomatic H. pylori infections faced an 11% increased likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Although the causes of Alzheimer’s are multifaceted, this study aligns with an emerging body of evidence highlighting the potential influence of infections, particularly H. pylori, in the disease’s progression.
Dr. Paul Brassard, a Professor in McGill’s Department of Medicine and a public health and preventive medicine physician at the McGill University Health Centre, emphasized the urgency of addressing Alzheimer’s amidst the global aging population. With dementia projected to triple over the next 40 years, effective treatment options for the disease remain scarce.
Dr. Brassard expressed hope that these findings would pave the way for future research, potentially exploring the eradication of H. pylori as a preventive strategy to mitigate Alzheimer’s risk in certain individuals. This avenue could lead to the development of tailored eradication programs aimed at reducing infections on a population level.
The study’s implications mark a significant step in understanding potential risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s, offering prospects for novel preventive strategies that could significantly impact dementia rates as populations worldwide age.
