Stomach Bug Blamed for Increased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease by Over 10% Among Older Adults [Study]

Alzheimer's disease is known as a neurodegenerative medical condition associated with memory loss and the impaired ability to function, affecting daily life like simple tasks and communication. It is also the most common type of dementia, an umbrella term for various diseases that affect the brain and cause damage to brain cells.

Medical reports show that most victims of this disease are older people, especially those aged 60 years and above. However, younger individuals can also experience degenerative illness. Based on this data, health authorities consider the disease to be age-related and the changes it causes to the brain.

Furthermore, genetics, lifestyle, and the environment are also considered by experts as factors to this type of dementia. Now, a new study led by researchers from Canada has made an unexpected discovery; the common stomach bug is responsible for increased risk of Alzheimer's disease among older people.

Alzheimer's Disease Mystery

(Photo : Photo by Michael Schiffer on Unsplash)

Despite our knowledge of the apparent 'age-related' illness, scientists still do not know the main cause or biological mechanism behind Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, there have been several studies about novel discoveries that would help explain why some individuals suffer from the disease.

The objective to uncover the Alzheimer's disease mystery is still ongoing as scientists, such as those from Johns Hopkins Medicine, are broadening research in Alzheimer's and dementia. In addition, Johns Hopkins clinicians and researchers are also expanding treatment options in several ways as follows:

Searching for biological markers that may predict Alzheimer's disease
Finding ways to target proteins present in the brain amid the disease
Defining different kinds of the disease to measure future treatment and research

Also Read: People Exposed to Air Pollution More Likely to Develop Alzheimer's, Other Neurodegenerative Disorders

Stomach Bugs to Blame?

In a new study published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association on December 13, scientists have shed a new light in our understanding of Alzheimer's disease and even dementia.

Based on the findings, the common stomach bug or bacteria Helicobacter pylori causes an increased risk of Alzheimer's by over 10% among older adults, aged 50 years and older. There was also no major effect modification conducted on sex about the data, derived from the population-based and case-control study.

The said bacterium H. pylori is known for causing infections within the guys of humans, resulting in gastritis, indigestion, and ulcers. The findings of the December 13 study confirm previous evidence that gut or stomach bacteria also affect the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

Currently, there is no official or proven cure for Alzheimer's disease but certain treatments and medicine can temporarily alleviate its symptoms, according to the organization Alzheimer's Association.

In the United States, it is estimated that 5.8 million Americans aged 65 years or older are suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and this figure is expected to nearly triple to 14 million by the year 2060, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).