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An Unusual Practice May Increase Risk Of Alzheimer’s And Dementia – ‘Almost Everyone Does It’

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According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Alzheimer’s is the seventh-leading cause of death for adults in the United States, and the fifth-leading cause for those over age 65. With approximately 6.5 million people in the country living with the disease, Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent form of dementia among older adults.

Despite its prevalence, the CDC notes that the exact cause of Alzheimer’s remains unknown.

In light of recent research findings, it has been suggested that a previously overlooked habit – nose picking – could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Nose picking is a common practice that is often frowned upon despite its prevalence. According to a 1995 study, 91% of participants admitted to picking their nose, and 75% said “almost everyone does it.”

But this habit may be more harmful than you think.

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Griffith University revealed that certain bacteria have the ability to travel via the olfactory nerve from the nose into the brain of mice, where they trigger the formation of markers that are typically associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the study found that Chlamydia pneumoniae specifically utilized the nerve connecting the nasal cavity and the brain as a pathway to invade the central nervous system.

“We’re the first to show that Chlamydia pneumoniae can go directly up the nose and into the brain where it can set off pathologies that look like Alzheimer’s disease,” said co-author Professor St John. “We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans as well.”

Due to its direct exposure to the air, the olfactory nerve located in the nose provides a quick and direct route to the brain that bypasses the blood-brain barrier. Unfortunately, this has also made it an attractive pathway for viruses and bacteria seeking easy entry into the brain.

The research team at the Centre is already planning their next phase of research, which aims to confirm whether the same pathway exists in humans.

“We need to do this study in humans and confirm whether the same pathway operates in the same way. It’s research that has been proposed by many people, but not yet completed. What we do know is that these same bacteria are present in humans, but we haven’t worked out how they get there.”

Professor St John recommends a few simple steps that people can take to maintain the lining of their nose, potentially reducing the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

“Picking your nose and plucking the hairs from your nose are not a good idea.

“We don’t want to damage the inside of our nose and picking and plucking can do that.

“If you damage the lining of the nose, you can increase how many bacteria can go up into your brain.”

According to Professor St John, smell tests could be a potential way to detect Alzheimer’s and dementia, as the loss of sense of smell is an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. He suggests administering smell tests starting at age 60 to detect Alzheimer’s early.

The risk of developing Alzheimer’s increases significantly after the age of 65, but Professor St John believes that other environmental factors, such as exposure to bacteria and viruses, also play a critical role.

This study was backed by the Goda Foundation and the Menzies Health Institute Queensland.

Image Credit: Calmettes/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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