Gum Disease Causing Bacteria May Provide Hints about Neurodegenerative Disorder Treatments

At the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in San Diego recently, researchers from the University of Florida announced a study of the mutant strain called P. gingivalis (PG0717) and how this mutant may affect  Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases.

Scientists do not know how these neurodegenerative diseases surface, but researchers Progulske-Fox and her colleagues know that clustered proteins form plaque build up that can affect people’s neurons. The researchers believe that if cells can be directed to breakdown cell waste products, plaque build up will not develop which would potentially prevent the advent of such neurodegenerative diseases as well as assist in the recovery from such diseases.

Previous study evidence demonstrates that the ability for affected cells to break down plaque build-ups has a very significant impact on the recovery from neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers believe that ability to activate autophagy within these cells can be priceless in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Autophagy is a naturally occurring biological process in which cells degrade and stimulates the recycling of cell derivatives into amino acids that can be used by the body. Researchers believe that their study of P. gingivalis will help identify how this mutant strain ignites autophagy in host cells which would potentially lead to innovative treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. In previous Porphyromonas gingivalis studies, these researchers found that the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis can activate autophagy when exposed to a human cell line.

Scientists in the dental community have already established that biofilms, comprised of bacteria and fungal pathogens, which exist in the mouth can trigger gum disease and are linked to a variety of serious medical conditions. You can fight off biofilms with treatments offered by a select number of dentists certified in biofilm treatment. Biolfim treatment can be a step in the right direction to fight off inflammatory markers that are linked to diseases.

If you are interested in fighting off your biofilms, contact Austin Dental Spa.