The bacteria in your mouth and on your tongue may be linked to changes in brain function as you age, research has suggested.

The study, led by the University of Exeter, found that certain bacteria were associated with better memory and attention, while others were linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Joanna L’Heureux, lead author, said, “Our findings suggest that some bacteria might be detrimental to brain health as people age. It raises an interesting idea for performing routine tests as part of dental checkups to measure bacterial levels and detect very early signs of declining brain health.”

Bacteria and brain health

Published in PNAS Nexus, the study recruited 110 participants, over the age of 50 from an online study that tracks the brain health of more than 25,000 middle-aged people in the UK. Researchers split participants into two groups: those with no brain function decline and those showing mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

While decline in memory and brain functions is typical in old age, deteriorations in mental capabilities that is greater than would be expected with normal ageing is known as MCI. Approximately 15 per cent of older adults fall into the category of MCI, considered the greatest risk factor for the development of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

The participants in these two groups sent in mouth rinse samples that were then analysed and the bacteria population studied.

The researchers identified two possible ways these bacteria impact brain health. This includes harmful bacteria directly entering the bloodstream, potentially causing damage to the brain. Alternatively, an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria can reduce the conversion of nitrate (abundant in vegetable-rich diets) to nitric oxide —a chemical crucial for brain communication and memory formation.

Individuals who had large numbers of the bacteria groups Neisseria and Haemophilus had better memory, attention and ability to do complex tasks. These people also had higher levels of nitrite in their mouths.

However, greater levels of the bacteria, Porphyromonas, was more common in individuals with memory problems. Whereas the bacterial group Prevotella, was linked to low nitrite, which the researchers predicted could mean poorer brain health and was more common in people who carry the Alzheimer’s disease risk gene, APOE4.

Anne Corbett, co-author of the study, said, "The implication of our research is profound. If certain bacteria support brain function while others contribute to decline, then treatments that alter the balance of bacteria in the mouth could be part of a solution to prevent dementia. This could be through dietary changes, probiotics, oral hygiene routines, or even targeted treatments.”

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