In a recent article published by the NYU College of Dentistry researchers found that periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease in healthy individuals as well as in those who already are cognitively impaired.
The research team was led by Dr. Angela Kamer, Assistant Professor of Periodontolgoy & Implant Dentistry. The article states, "the research suggests that cognitively normal subjects with periodontal inflammation are at an increased risk of lower cognitive function compared to cognitively normal subjects with little or no periodontal inflammation."
Dr. Kamer's latest findings are based on an analysis of data on periodontal inflammation and cognitive function in 152 subjects. Dr. Kamer examined data spanning a 20-year period ending in 1984, when the subjects were all 70 years of age. The findings were presented by Dr. Kamer at the 2010 annual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research July 16, in Barcelona, Spain.
Dr. Kamer used the Digit Symbol Tests, or DST, a part of the standard measurement of adult IQ to measure cognitive function at ages 50 and 70. He states that subjects with periodontal inflammation were nine times more likely to test in the lower range of DST scores compared to subjects with little or no periodontal inflammation.
This recent evidence suggests that regular check-ups with your dentist and professional cleanings could lead to decreasing the risks and symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease in individuals over the age of 50.
Dr. Kamer plans to conduct a follow-up study involving a larger, more ethnically diverse group of subjects, to further examine the connection between periodontal disease and low cognition.
