Association between periodontal pathogens and Alzheimer’s disease

Velasquez J.J.U.; Aguilar V.H.G.; Aréstegui N.Y.M.; Mattos-Vela M.A.; Cuentas-Robles A.R.; Vílchez-Salazar E.F.; Castro-Luna A.; Ramos-Perfecto D. · Avances en Odontoestomatologia (2025)

Resumen

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurological disorder and the most common form of dementia, which is clinically characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function, beginning with memory impairment. The exact etiology of AD is still not fully known. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by significant inflammatory features, signaled by microglial activation and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in affected regions. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with gram-negative anaerobic germs such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, among others, which generate localized and systemic inflammation, as well as the destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth; mainly affecting neuronal cells and usually maintained over time, increasing as AD progresses, thus, a relationship is found between prolonged inflammation and the pathogenicity of AD. This review aims to describe the association of periodontal pathogens in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos