Gingipains. A bacteria that causes gum disease has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. Gingipains is an enzyme which is given off by the Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria, which causes periodontitis.
Around half of adults have periodontitis, with around 10% having a severe version, which erodes the gums and the bones that keep our teeth in place.
A small study of 53 patients with Alzheimer's found that 96% had a form of the gingipains enzyme known as arginine-gingipain in their brain tissue, and 91% had lysine-gingipain. These levels were significantly higher than control samples. It has not yet been determined if different strains of P.gingivalis are more virulent than others in causing brain infection.
Trials of COR388 (which blocks gingipains) on people with mild to moderate Alzheimer symptoms have begun, with first results expected in late 2021.
Other scientists remain cautious about the finding, and work continues on other factors such as genetic make-up.
Sources: Various.
