Oral Health as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer Disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Oral Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β plaques and tau tangles.
• Poor oral health is an emerging risk factor for AD onset.
• Understanding this link is crucial for potential prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and assess the association between oral health and Alzheimer's disease risk.
• To identify and categorize theories linking oral health to AD development.
• To evaluate the current evidence for a causal relationship.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science.
• Screening of 1962 identified studies.
• Inclusion of 17 studies demonstrating potential associations between oral health and AD.

Main Results:

• Seventeen studies suggested a link between oral diseases and Alzheimer's disease.
• Four main theories were identified: role of pathogens, inflammatory mediators, APOE alleles, and Aβ peptide.
• Neuroinflammation due to poor oral health is a common theme across theories.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence is insufficient to establish a causal link between oral health and Alzheimer's disease due to study design diversity and quality.
• Further research is necessary to confirm the relationship between oral health, neuroinflammation, and AD.
• Improved dental care may potentially prevent cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease.