Researchers in Texas have just released groundbreaking new information about inflammatory biomarkers and their relationship to Alzheimer’s disease.Their results were published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
The study, which involved nearly 400 subjects, examined the relationship between Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and homocysteine (Hcy) and incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Lp-PLA2 indicates if the arteries around the heart are inflamed. The PLAC® Test, which measures Lp-PLA2, is considered the most important test in assessing risk for heart attack and stroke, and more indicative of a future cardiovascular event than cholesterol testing.
“After adjustment for age, sex, and BMI, subjects with Lp-PLA2 levels above the median were almost twice as likely to have AD than those with levels below the median.”
Researchers concluded, “The association of Lp-PLA2 with AD might be primarily mediated through CVDE.” That is to say, the effects of high Lp-PLA2 levels on conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes may be responsible for the increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Increased inflammatory markers have long been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, although Lp-PLA2, one of the most important markers for assessing risk for heart attack and stroke, has been notably absent from research in this area.
Addressing specific oral pathogens is one of very few known ways to reduce Lp-PLA2 levels. Research has shown that advanced anti-microbial periodontal treatment can reduce Lp-PLA2 levels by 37% after three months.
When you take into account that a surprisingly large portion of our population is above threshold for pathogenic oral bacteria, it becomes apparent how big an impact addressing pathogens can have on reducing risk for heart attack, stroke, and according to this latest research, Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, homocysteine, and Alzheimer’s disease
