Open AccessEmerging evidence for associations between periodontitis and the development of Alzheimer’s disease
Author(s) -
Sophie Poole,
Simarjit Kaur Singhrao,
St John Crean
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
faculty dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2042-6860
pISSN - 2042-6852
DOI - 10.1308/204268514x13859766312719
Subject(s) - disease , periodontitis , pathogenesis , inflammation , dementia , immune system , immunology , etiology , medicine , risk factor , systemic inflammation , pathology , dentistry
Periodontal disease (PD) is an inflammatory disease affecting tooth-supporting tissues in which interaction of specific bacteria and the host’s immune responses play a pivotal role. The pathogenic bacteria associated with PD are a source of systemic inflammation as they have the ability to enter systemic circulation during everyday tasks such as brushing teeth and chewing food. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a form of dementia whereby inflammation is thought to play a key role in its pathogenesis and the risk of developing the disease increasing with age. The exact aetiology of the late-onset AD is unknown but peripheral infections are being considered as a potential risk factor.