New Thailand medical study reveals link between oral microbiota and Alzheimer's disease

Thailand Medical: A recent groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the Molecular and Genomics Research Laboratory at Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand, has revealed a fascinating connection between oral bacteria and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study explored the diversity and composition of oral microbiota in elderly Thai patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The research offers fresh insights into how the bacteria in our mouths might play a pivotal role in cognitive decline and could serve as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease.


New Thailand medical study reveals link between oral microbiota and Alzheimer's disease

Background of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's disease, one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, primarily affects the elderly population. It is characterized by the progressive decline in memory and cognitive functions, often leading to a complete loss of independence. While scientists have long focused on amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain as key drivers of Alzheimer's, growing evidence now suggests that chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation might also play a significant role in the disease's progression.
 
Interestingly, emerging research has pointed to the human microbiome -particularly the oral microbiota - as a potential contributor to the neuroinflammatory processes that underlie Alzheimer's. This Thailand Medical News report delves into the study's findings and how they could shift our understanding of the disease.
 
The Study and Its Methodology
The study involved 100 elderly Thai participants who were either diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or were cognitively healthy. Samples were collected from patients visiting Chulabhorn Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Thailand.
 
Saliva samples were collected and analyzed using advanced PacBio SMRT sequencing technology, which allows for in-depth examination of bacterial composition and diversity. This sequencing technology provided researchers with unprecedented insight into the full-length 16S ribosomal RNA genes, enabling accurate identification of bacterial species present in the participants' mouths.

The main goal of the study was to compare the oral microbiota diversity among three groups: Alzheimer’s patients, MCI patients, and healthy elderly individuals. By doing so, the researchers aimed to identify specific bacterial species or groups that were more prevalent in Alzheimer’s patients, which could serve as potential biomarkers for early detection or intervention.
 
Key Findings
The study yielded several key findings that shed light on the possible relationship between oral bacteria and neurodegenerative diseases:
 
-Higher Microbial Diversity in Alzheimer&am p;rsquo;s Patients
The study revealed that Alzheimer’s patients exhibited significantly higher microbial diversity in their oral microbiota compared to both MCI patients and healthy controls. This suggests that the bacterial ecosystem in the mouths of Alzheimer’s patients is more dysregulated, with a greater variety of bacteria present.
 
-Increased Levels of Fusobacteriota and Peptostreptococcaceae
Alzheimer’s patients showed notably higher levels of certain bacteria, including Fusobacteriota and Peptostreptococcaceae. Both of these bacterial groups are known to contribute to inflammatory processes, which may help explain the link between oral health and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.
 
-Decreased Levels of Veillonella
Interestingly, the study found lower levels of Veillonella in Alzheimer’s patients compared to MCI patients and healthy individuals. This bacterium is known for its role in oral health and maintaining a balanced microbiota. A reduction in its abundance may be indicative of a breakdown in oral microbial homeostasis in Alzheimer’s patients.
 
-Potential Biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease
The findings suggest that the abundance of Fusobacteriota at various taxonomic levels could serve as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease. This could lead to the development of diagnostic tools that use saliva samples to identify individuals at risk for developing Alzheimer’s.
 
What This Means for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Treatment
The study’s findings could have significant implications for both the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Early diagnosis is crucial for managing Alzheimer's, and identifying biomarkers in the oral microbiota might offer a non-invasive way to detect the disease before cognitive decline becomes severe. If specific bacteria like Fusobacteriota can be reliably linked to Alzheimer’s disease, saliva tests could become a routine screening tool for older adults, especially those at higher risk of cognitive decline.
 
In addition, understanding the role that oral bacteria play in the progression of Alzheimer's could open new avenues for treatment. For example, interventions aimed at restoring balance to the oral microbiota - such as probiotics, improved dental hygiene, or even antibiotics - could potentially slow the progression of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.
 
Conclusions
This study highlights the importance of oral health in maintaining overall well-being, particularly in older adults. The link between oral microbiota and Alzheimer's disease suggests that maintaining good oral hygiene could play a role in reducing the risk of cognitive decline. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which oral bacteria influence brain health and to develop practical applications for these findings.
 
The findings of the study also underscore the potential of microbiome research in advancing our understanding of complex diseases like Alzheimer's. By identifying specific bacterial groups associated with cognitive decline, researchers can explore new preventative and therapeutic strategies that go beyond traditional approaches focused on the brain.
 
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that a high abundance of Fusobacteriota and Peptostreptococcaceae in the oral microbiota may serve as early biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, offering a new window into the diagnosis and management of this devastating condition. As research into the human microbiome continues to advance, it is likely that we will see more discoveries linking oral health to neurodegenerative diseases, potentially revolutionizing the way we diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/9/1242
 
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