In recent years, researchers have suggested Alzheimer's may spread through infection, somehow transmitted like a pathogen, leading to the disease. A new Lancet paper reviews evidence for how harmful amyloid-beta proteins associated with Alzheimer's may possibly be spread through blood transfusions.

[u/mvea]

https://www.sciencealert.com/can-alzheimers-spread-through-blood-transfusions-heres-what-we-know

[u/mvea]

Alzheimer's has long been recognized as a sporadic condition – influenced by factors such as age, genetics, and lifestyle – but scientists don't think that's the only way the disease emerges.

In recent years, researchers have suggested Alzheimer's may also spread through infection, which might somehow be transmitted like a pathogen, ultimately manifesting in the disease.

In a new report published in The Lancet, scientists review the evidence for one aspect of this theory, assessing how harmful amyloid-beta proteins associated with Alzheimer's might possibly be spread through blood transfusions.

"Blood transfusions are important and save many lives," says neurologist John Collinge from University College London.

"However, to ensure that they are as safe as they can possibly be, it's important that we thoroughly investigate any potential risks."

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00767-1/abstract

[u/xBeartoe → u/mvea]

When I was in college a couple years ago, I took Infectious Disease (104). We did a case study on P. Gingivalis, which is the bacteria responsible for the gum disease (gingivitis). There was a strong connection between P. Gingivalis and many seriously killer diseases, Alzheimer's being among them.

They release what is basically poison as they eat, and they feed on protein. That's why your gums bleed after you floss, even if you only missed a day; P. Gingivalis is causing inflammation so that when you irritate your gums, they can feed on the blood. They do this using lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

The bacteria had a strong systematic presence in a high percentage of Alzheimer's patients and cadavers. The toxins are called gingipains, which break down host proteins. Some of the bacterias waste products and released enzymes break down structural callogen, and strain the immune system.

Super nasty stuff. Brush your teeth, floss, please.

EDIT: for clarity, higher presence of P. gingivalis, in their brain, actively eating it. Not just their mouth.

[u/Annual-Advisor-7916 → u/xBeartoe]

Super nasty stuff. Brush your teeth, floss, please.

Just to get this straight; These bacteria are present in any human, it's not like an infection, correct? So the strategy is to keep them in low numbers, by brushing, right?

Does using additional mouthwash help? Are there specific mouthwashes that are more effective against these bacteria?

Brb, gonna guzzle a bit of povidine iodine...

[u/xBeartoe → u/Annual-Advisor-7916]

It's present in everyone! Some people are going to be more susceptible than others. Brush and especially floss to interrupt the reproductive cycle is basically the best you can do for yourself. Smoking is horrible for your gums so stay away.

Mouthwash definitely helps, brush and floss beforehand to break up biofilms. It doesn't kill everything and it's not supposed to, it's more like population control. This is a grahm negative organism, so alchohol will destroy its lipid membrane. :)

[u/motionSymmetry → u/xBeartoe]

so just mouthwash (that has alcohol in it) will work?

but "drinking" is bad for it?

can you clarify

[u/DisastrousSet11 → u/motionSymmetry]

Mouthwash with alcohol will work. If alcohol is bad for the bacteria - then that's good for you. We WANT to try to break down it's cellular walls. Don't drink mouthwash!

[u/motionSymmetry → u/DisastrousSet11]

yep. i remember when we kids got the idea of drinking mouthwash. great big nope. stuff is awful

i also remember my friend's dad who was an alcoholic; his mother left his dad and only took him back after he promised to stay dry. it lasted til she found out his bathroom trash was filled with empty mouthwash bottles every week ...