An interesting article titled Periodontitis causally affects the brain cortical structure: A Mendelian randomization study written by Mengqiao Wang and et. al. appears in the Journal of Periodontal Research, published December 7, 2023. The authors sought out to estimate whether genetically proxied periodontitis impacts the brain cortical structure.
The lines between oral and neurological health blur further, as the article reveals that gum disease isn’t just a dental concern, but can potentially impact the way our brains are wired. The researchers found a causal link between periodontitis, also known as gum disease, and changes in the structure of the brain’s cortex. This is the first study to show such a connection, and may open a new avenue for understanding neurological diseases.
To uncover a potential cause-and-effect link between gum disease and brain structure, researchers employed a clever technique called “Mendelian randomization.” This involved leveraging genetic variations linked to periodontitis to assess its causal impact on brain structure. This helped control for confounding factors like lifestyle choices. The researchers analyzed data from over 51,000 individuals in the Enigma Consortium using statistical methods like inverse-variance weighting, to assess how gene-linked gum disease might affect the size and thickness of specific brain regions.
The intricate folds of the brain, particularly the orbitofrontal (involved in decision-making and reward processing) and entorhinal cortices (part of the memory system), appear vulnerable to the influence of gum disease. The study showed a predisposition to gum disease to both reduced surface area and, in the case of the entorhinal cortex, even thinner brain tissue.
Image by GraphicMama-team from Pixabay
These findings support the existence of a periodontal tissue-brain axis, which means gum disease can directly affect brain structure. This could hold significance for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, where periodontitis could be a potential risk factor.
The study included limitations which was that it ws an observational study on of periodontitis on the cortical structure of the brainand was unable to determine the exact mechanisms between what as observed. The researchers feel additional research is needed to evaluate the mechanisms and functional alterations.