Alzheimer’s Breakthrough: Can Bacteria Cause Alzheimer’s Disease?

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Flora Umukoro

Recent research indicates that untreated bacterial infections may lead to the development of amyloid proteins that contribute to Alzheimer’s. Other studies show that the colonies formed by certain bacteria might also mimic the plaque tangles associated with the debilitating disease. The findings leave some scientists pondering the possibility that Alzheimer’s may frequently be misidentified and could possibly be treated with antibiotics. Tracy Home Care Assistance hopes families of seniors with Alzheimer’s will find the following information useful as the fight to cure AD continues.

Chlamydia and Lyme Disease

In recent years, the theoretical correlation between intracranial bacterial infections and Alzheimer’s disease attracted the interest of researchers around the world. Researchers found that Chlamydia pneumoniae (the bacteria responsible for bronchitis and pneumonia) tend to migrate to nerve tissue and are commonly found in the brains of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By injecting laboratory animals with the bacteria, researchers found that the infection contributes to the development of the amyloid beta plaques commonly seen with AD and dementia.

Borrelia burgdorferi, a pathogen that causes Lyme disease, is another microbe that was found in AD brain tissue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 300,000 people in the U.S. are infected with it, and approximately 30,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. In both scenarios, the microbes are easily treated with antibiotics, which prevent nerve tissue damage if caught early on.

Escherichia Coli and Salmonella

Scientists from UC Health Systems discovered the E. coli and salmonella bacteria create structures similar to amyloid tangles when they colonize. The microbes develop curli fibrils that serve as the matrix for colonization. Once colonies form, they are difficult to distinguish from the plaques associated with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is a serious disease that affects cognitive function and life quality. When seniors exhibit signs of memory loss, lack of concentration, and poor motor skills, it is important to see a doctor to rule out the possibility of bacterial infection. Even though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s at present, seniors and their families can manage the disease with trial medications, therapy sessions, and at-home care. Home Care Assistance is a leading provider of Tracy Alzheimer’s home care and offers an activities-based program for seniors that helps delay the onset of dementia and improve life quality. Call us today at 209.650.8500 to learn more and schedule a free consultation.