Potential Mechanisms Between Periodontitis and Alzheimer's Disease: a Scoping Review

Overview

Journal Can J Dent Hyg

Specialty Dentistry

Date 2023 Mar 27

PMID 36968797

Authors

Abrielle K Lamphere

Valerie K Nieto

Jessica R Kiser

Chris B Haddlesey

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Research has suggested 2 potential mechanisms by which the periodontal inflammatory response may communicate to distant organs: 1) direct translocation of periodontal bacteria from the oral cavity to another organ system; and 2) inflammation as a result of metastatic periodontal inflammation. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore these mechanisms as potential mediators between periodontitis and Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: A reiterative literature search of peer-reviewed articles was performed in the PubMed and Scopus databases using keywords or combinations such as Alzheimer's disease AND periodontitis OR periodontal disease AND inflammation.

Results: A total of 777 articles were identified. After eliminating duplicates and reviewing titles and abstracts, 84 articles were selected for full-text review. Following full-text review, 19 articles met the eligibility criteria for the study.

Discussion: The review of the literature highlights how periodontitis may contribute to neuroinflammation by the introduction of periodontal bacteria and/or proinflammatory cytokines locally produced at the periodontium.

Conclusion: Inflammation is an important mechanism in the onset and progression of both periodontitis and Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to better understand the multifactorial pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Citing Articles

Extracellular Vesicles in Periodontitis: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential.

Zhang L, Li X, Zhang B, Li R J Inflamm Res. 2025; 18:1317-1331.

PMID: 39897520 PMC: 11786598. DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S504612.

Correlation between Alzheimer's Disease and Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders.

Kuzniar J, Kozubek P, Czaja M, Leszek J Nutrients. 2024; 16(14).

PMID: 39064809 PMC: 11279885. DOI: 10.3390/nu16142366.

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