Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are two of the most common neurodegenerative disorders that affect millions of people globally.

While the underlying causes of these diseases are not fully understood, various research studies have suggested that inflammation could be a significant risk factor. A new study has now found a link between frequent serious infections and an increased risk of developing these diseases later in life.

Understanding Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia that affects a person’s memory and cognitive abilities.

It is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, leading to the death of brain cells and eventually, cognitive decline.

Parkinson’s disease, on the other hand, is a long-term degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. It primarily affects the motor system and causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty in movement.

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.

The study

The study was conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Texas and published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

The researchers analyzed data from 802 individuals who were enrolled in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study, a long-term observational study of brain aging and dementia. The participants were followed for an average of 12 years, during which time they were regularly evaluated for any cognitive changes and diagnosed with dementia or neurological disorders.

The researchers analyzed the participants’ medical records and identified any instances of serious infections, such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis, that required hospitalization or treatment with antibiotics.

They found that individuals who had experienced three or more serious infections had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease compared to those who had no history of serious infections. The study suggests that the risk of developing these diseases increased by 2.5 times with each additional infection.

The link between infections and neurodegenerative diseases

The link between infections and neurodegenerative diseases is not entirely clear. However, several theories suggest that chronic inflammation could be a significant risk factor. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection.

When the body detects an infection, it triggers an immune response to fight off the infection. This process involves the release of various inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and chemokines.

While inflammation is a necessary process for fighting infections, chronic inflammation can be harmful.

Chronic inflammation can cause damage to healthy cells and tissues in the body, leading to various diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Also, infections can cause damage to brain cells. For instance, pneumonia and other serious infections can lead to a decrease in oxygen supply to the brain. This can cause brain cells to die, leading to cognitive decline and memory loss.

Conclusion

The new study suggests that there could be a correlation between frequent serious infections and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.

While the exact mechanism behind this link is not clear, it is essential to take steps to reduce the risk of infections. This includes maintaining good personal hygiene, getting vaccinated against infectious diseases, and avoiding close contact with people who have infectious illnesses.

Further research is needed to better understand the link between infections and neurodegenerative diseases and to develop new treatments for these conditions.