A recent study from McGill University has found a potential link between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals aged 50 and above. The research analyzed health data of over four million UK residents and revealed that those with symptomatic H. pylori infection had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The study suggests the importance of investigating preventive strategies, including eradicating H. pylori, to address the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease globally.
The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, examined whether a clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection increased the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people aged 50 and older. This prevalent infection can lead to indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, and even stomach cancer.
A team of researchers from McGill University analyzed health data of over 4 million people aged 50 and above in the United Kingdom between 1988 and 2019. The findings showed that individuals with symptomatic H. pylori infection had an 11% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. Although the causes of Alzheimer’s are multifaceted, the study contributes to a growing body of evidence on the potential role of infections, particularly H. pylori, in its development.
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people globally, with numbers expected to rise sharply as demographics change, according to researchers. Dr. Paul Brassard, the study’s senior author and a Professor in McGill’s Department of Medicine, stated, “Given the global aging population, dementia numbers are expected to triple in the next 40 years. However, there remains a lack of effective treatment options for this disease.” Dr. Brassard expressed hope that the findings from this investigation will shed light on the potential role of H. pylori in dementia and inform the development of prevention strategies, such as individualized eradication programs, to reduce infections at the population level.
Reference: “Clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of incident Alzheimer’s disease: A population-based nested case-control study” by Antonios Douros, Zharmaine Ante, Carlo A. Fallone, Laurent Azoulay, Christel Renoux, Samy Suissa and Paul Brassard, 13 December 2023, Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
DOI: 10.1002/alz.13561
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