Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Poor oral health (OH) is associated with systemic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline, highlighting the oral-brain health connection.
• Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) disproportionately affect aging populations, with cases projected to triple by 2050, necessitating integration of OH into dementia care practice-and-research (DCPaR).

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical yet underexplored connection between oral and brain health.
• To emphasize the urgent need to integrate OH into DCPaR due to the growing AD/ADRD burden.
• To address the gap in current research, such as the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities (HABS-HD), which lacks direct OH measures.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary approach is essential to address the bidirectional relationship between oral and cognitive health.
• Incorporating OH into DCPaR aligns with broader health equity goals, addressing disparities in access to care.
• The Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP) fosters a diverse, culturally competent workforce to study and treat AD/ADRD.

Main Results:

• Chronic oral infections and oral microbiome dysbiosis contribute to systemic inflammation, potentially accelerating AD/ADRD progression.
• Cognitive decline can impair an individual's ability to maintain OH, creating a cycle of worsening health.
• The project "Exploring Neurological and Indirect Biomarkers for Potential Correlations with Oral Health: An Interdisciplinary Approach" advances efforts to integrate OH into DCPaR.

Conclusions:

• Integrating OH into DCPaR is crucial for developing targeted interventions and preventive care for aging populations.
• There is currently no cure for AD/ADRD, making prevention and early intervention paramount.
• Integrating OH into DCPaR will enhance understanding of its role in AD/ADRD progression, improve outcomes, and foster equitable geriatric healthcare.