Periodontitis and brain magnetic resonance imaging markers of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive aging

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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We examined the association of clinical, microbiological, and host response features of periodontitis with MRI markers of atrophy/cerebrovascular disease in the Washington Heights Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP) Ancillary Study of Oral Health.METHODS: We analyzed 468 participants with clinical periodontal data, microbial plaque and serum samples, and brain MRIs. We tested the association of periodontitis features with MRI features, after adjusting for multiple risk factors for Alzheimer's disease/Alzheimer's disease‐related dementia (AD/ADRD).RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, having more teeth was associated with lower odds for infarcts, lower white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, higher entorhinal cortex volume, and higher cortical thickness. Higher extent of periodontitis was associated with lower entorhinal cortex volume and lower cortical thickness. Differential associations emerged between colonization by specific bacteria/serum antibacterial IgG responses and MRI outcomes.DISCUSSION: In an elderly cohort, clinical, microbiological, and serological features of periodontitis were associated with MRI findings related to ADRD risk. Further investigation of causal associations is warranted.
Funding Information
  • National Institutes of Health (R01 AG076015, R56 DE022568, R56 DE026487, NCATS UL1 TR001873, PO1AG07232, R01 AG037212, R01 AG072474, RF1 AG066107, RF1 AG054023)

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