Common Bacteria Discovered in the Eye Linked to Cognitive Decline
3 months ago
- #Alzheimer’s Disease
- #Neuroinflammation
- #Chlamydia pneumoniae
- Chlamydia pneumoniae, a common bacterium causing pneumonia and sinus infections, can persist in the eye and brain, potentially worsening Alzheimer’s disease.
- The study, published in Nature Communications, links bacterial infection in the retina to inflammation, nerve cell death, and cognitive decline.
- Higher levels of Chlamydia pneumoniae were found in the retinas and brains of Alzheimer’s patients compared to those with normal cognition.
- The presence of the APOE4 gene variant, a known Alzheimer’s risk factor, correlated with higher bacterial levels.
- Lab studies on human neurons and mice showed that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection increased inflammation, nerve cell death, and amyloid-beta production.
- The findings suggest potential new treatment strategies targeting bacterial infection and inflammation, and highlight the retina as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for Alzheimer’s risk.