The microbial ecosystems in our mouth can influence our cognitive function as we get older, according to a study. Interventions such as prebiotics, including nutrition nitrate, have potential for delaying cognitive decline.
About 15% of older adults have mild cognitive impairment, which is the largest risk factor for the development of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. There is a well-known association between parodontitis snum disorders and aggravated cognitive function. Researchers have identified two possible connections between the mouth and the Spirit: pathogenic oral bacteria can penetrate the bloodstream and go to the brain, or pathogenic oral bacteria can move nitrate -reducing bacteria, which help nitrogen oxide the brain needs for synaptic plasticity and long -term Anni Vanhatalo and colleagues characterized the oral microbiome of 115 participants, of whom 55 mild cognitive disorders had. Some participants had the Apolipoprotein E4 (Apoe4) allele, which increases the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. A high relative abundance of bacteria in the gender Neisseria was associated with a better executive function and visual attention within the mild cognitive disorder group. Among healthy participants, Neisseria Correled with memory. High prevalence of bacteria in the gender Porphyromonas Predicted mild cognitive disorder status, while Prevotella Intermedia Predicted Apoe4-Carrier status. According to the authors, diet can influence the oral microbiome and a nitrate -rich diet (such as the Mediterranean and ‘food approaches to stop hypertension’ diets), promotes bacteria associated with good cognitive results.
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Journal Reference:
L’Heureux, you, et Alt Alto. (2025) Biomarkers of oral microbiome and nitrogen oxide in older people with mild cognitive disorders and Apoe4 genotype. Pnas Nexus. doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae543.