Gum bacteria implicated in Alzheimer’s and other diseases

While previous researchers have noted the presence of P. gingivalis in brain samples from Alzheimer’s patients, Potempa’s team, in collaboration with Cortexyme, Inc., offers the strongest evidence to date that the bacterium may actually contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Cortexyme, Inc. and Potempa’s team are working on other compounds that block enzymes important to P. gingivalis and other gum bacteria in hopes of interrupting their role in advancing Alzheimer’s and other diseases. “P. gingivalis‘s main toxins, the enzymes the bacterium need to exert its devilish tasks, are good targets for potential new medical interventions to counteract a variety of diseases,” said Potempa.

Source: neurosciencenews.com