A common stomach bacteria found in two-thirds of the world population may be linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a new research. The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, investigated whether a clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection increased the risk of Alzheimer's in people aged 50 and older.
H. pylori infection is known to trigger indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, and even stomach cancer. A team of McGill University researchers analysed health data of over 4 million people in the UK aged 50. The findings showed that people with symptomatic H. pylori infection had an 11 per cent higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia.
While the cause of Alzheimer’s is multifaceted, the findings build upon a growing body of evidence on the potential role of infections, particularly H. Pylori, in its development. The study opens avenues for future research, particularly exploring whether eradicating this bacterium could effectively prevent Alzheimer's in some people.
Alzheimer’s affects millions of people globally, with numbers expected to rise sharply as demographics shift, the researchers said. “Given the global ageing population, dementia numbers are expected to triple in the next 40 years. However, there remains a lack of effective treatment options for this disease,” said Dr. Paul Brassard, Professor in McGill’s Department of Medicine.
“We hope the findings from this investigation will provide insight on the potential role of H. pylori in dementia in order to inform the development of prevention strategies, such as individualised eradication programmes, to reduce infections at the population level,” said Dr. Brassard, a public health and preventive medicine physician at the McGill University Health Centre.