29 December 2023 , 14:59
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One common stomach bug, present in as many as two in three people, could increase your risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s by up to 24 per cent.
Researchers analysed health data from over four million people in the UK aged 50 and above, between 1988 and 2019. Shockingly, they discovered that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was linked to a "moderately increased risk" of Alzheimer’s disease.
H. pylori is an already prevalent infection that targets the stomach. It can cause stomach ulcers, indigestion, gastritis and even stomach cancer and is thought to be present in as many as two in three people.
A team of scientists from McGill University found that, at its peak a decade after onset, the infection increased the risk of Alzheimer’s by 24 per cent. The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, found there was an 11 per cent increase of risk. Whilst the study was on Brits aged 50 and over, age within that range, and sex, had no affect on the findings.
The causes of Alzheimer’s are multifaceted, but the study adds to a growing body of evidence on the potential role of infections. This includes opening the way to examine "whether eradicating this bacterium could effectively prevent Alzheimer's disease in some people."
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Experts haven’t been able to say exactly how the bug is linked to Alzheimer’s however. Some have speculated that the bacteria can travel to the brain, causing inflammation and affecting it. Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people globally, with numbers expected to rise sharply as demographics shift, say researchers.
Dr Paul Brassard, the study’s senior author and a Professor in McGill’s Department of Medicine 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. 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 programs, to reduce infections at the population level."