Common bacteria typically found in the respiratory system appear to be associated with decreased cognitive function. alzheimer’s disease If present in the retina.

Chlamydia pneumoniae – often responsible pneumonia Sinusitis and sinusitis previously discovered in the brain Affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Now, new research shows that Chlamydia pneumoniae in vision-generating tissue that lines the back of the eyeat higher levels of people below alzheimer’s disease.

The study, led by a team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the US, provides new insights into the biological processes that can worsen Alzheimer’s disease progression – and could lead to new approaches to slowing disease progression.

as well as potentially contributing to the chain of mechanisms leading to Alzheimer’s disease. Chlamydia pneumoniae Retinal information could one day also be used to detect cognitive decline or dementia, but that possibility was not directly tested here.

“The eyes are a proxy for the brain, and this study shows that bacterial infection and chronic inflammation in the retina can reflect brain pathology and predict disease status, supporting retinal imaging as a non-invasive method to identify people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.” say Maya Koronyo Hamaoui, a neuroscientist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said:

First, the research team analyzed postmortem eye and brain tissue from 104 people. Some had Alzheimer’s disease, some had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and some did not report anything. cognitive problems.

They found a clear association between the presence of: Chlamydia pneumoniae in the eyes and brain, have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Higher levels of bacteria in tissues were associated with more severe cognitive decline.

person who has Apoe genetic mutations are linked Alzheimer’s disease risk They also had higher levels of bacteria in their tissues. However, the differences between people without cognitive impairment and people with MCI were less clear regarding: Chlamydia pneumoniae.

The researchers then performed tests using lab-grown neurons and animal models, Chlamydia pneumoniae Maybe it’s biological. These experiments showed that bacterial infection causes the following symptoms: increased inflammationthere is greater decline in cognitive function and increased neuronal death.

existence of Chlamydia pneumoniae It was also associated with increased amounts of amyloid beta protein in the brain. known to aggregate It affects the brains of Alzheimer’s patients in dangerous ways.

“look Chlamydia pneumoniae Consistent research across human tissues, cell cultures, and animal models has led us to identify previously unrecognized connections between bacterial infection, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. ” say Koronyo Hamaoui.

There are still unanswered questions, and the findings offer only strong implications: Chlamydia pneumoniae It may contribute to (and be a symptom of) Alzheimer’s disease, but is not conclusive evidence.

However, if the bacterial infection actually causes inflammation that spreads to the brain and accelerates; neurodegenerative processthen new targets for future treatments may be found.

The researchers explain: Chlamydia pneumoniae Not as a main trigger, but as a potential amplifier. This is simply How complex Alzheimer’s disease is. There are probably multiple factors that can vary from person to person.

Additionally, the research team identified specific inflammatory pathways. Chlamydia pneumoniae It can become a target and worsen the damage already caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is needed to confirm this mechanism, but there are indications.

Related: Study reveals common sleeping pills may reduce Alzheimer’s disease protein buildup

Scientists continued to Identify multiple methods The eyes and brain are connected. In this case, the findings could prove valuable to society’s continued efforts to combat Alzheimer’s and other diseases. dementia.

“This discovery raises the possibility of targeting the infection-inflammation axis to treat Alzheimer’s disease.” say “It’s important to know that this is the case,” said Timothy Crozer, a biomedical scientist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

This study nature communications.