Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35244967›Full record

ReviewPeriodontology 20002022

Periodontal microorganisms and Alzheimer disease - A causative relationship?

Gert Jungbauer, Alexandra Stähli, Xilei Zhu, Lavinia Auber Alberi, Anton Sculean, Sigrun Eick

Open access · hybridAbstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Periodontology 2000, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 97 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
97citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
21.1field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

97 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 148 citations in OpenAlex.

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  10. [Age-Related Changes in the Oral Microbiota].Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition · 2026
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37 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Gert JungbauerDepartment of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Alexandra StähliDepartment of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Xilei ZhuDepartment of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Lavinia Auber AlberiSwiss Integrative Center for Human Health, Fribourg, Switzerland.
Anton SculeanDepartment of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Sigrun EickDepartment of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
University of Bern · CHSwiss Integrative Center for Human Health · CH

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In the initiation or exacerbation of Alzheimer disease, the dissemination of oral microorganisms into the brain tissue or the low-level systemic inflammation have been speculated to play a role. However, the impact of oral microorganisms, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and the potential causative relationship is still unclear. The present review has critically reviewed the literature by examining the following aspects: (a) the oral microbiome and the immune response in the elderly population, (b) human studies on the association between periodontal and gut microorganisms and Alzheimer disease, (c) animal and in vitro studies on microorganisms and Alzheimer disease, and (d) preventive and therapeutic approaches. Factors contributing to microbial dysbiosis seem to be aging, local inflammation, systemic diseases, wearing of dentures, living in nursing homes and no access to adequate oral hygiene measures. Porphyromonas gingivalis was detectable in post-mortem brain samples. Microbiome analyses of saliva samples or oral biofilms showed a decreased microbial diversity and a different composition in Alzheimer disease compared to cognitively healthy subjects. Many in-vitro and animal studies underline the potential of P gingivalis to induce Alzheimer disease-related alterations. In animal models, recurring applications of P gingivalis or its components increased pro-inflammatory mediators and β-amyloid in the brain and deteriorated the animals' cognitive performance. Since periodontitis is the result of a disturbed microbial homoeostasis, an effect of periodontal therapy on the oral microbiome and host response related to cognitive parameters may be suggested and should be elucidated in further clinical trials.

Indexed as

Alzheimer DiseaseMicrobiotaAgedAnimalsDysbiosisHumansInflammationPorphyromonas gingivalis

Identifiers

PMID35244967
PMCPMC9314828
OpenAlexW4214823856

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.