A study conducted by a team of researchers in Japan has found a potential connection between gum disease, tooth loss and brain shrinkage in the hippocampus. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory and has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Led by Dr. Satoshi Yamaguchi, PhD, from Tohoku University in Sendai, the study focused on late middle-aged and older adults, investigating the longitudinal relationship between the number of teeth and hippocampal atrophy.
In their investigation, the Japanese research group, headed by Dr. Satoshi Yamaguchi, PhD, delved into the possible correlation between tooth loss and gum disease with brain shrinkage in the hippocampus. This brain region is known for its significant role in memory and its link to Alzheimer’s disease. The research team reported that individuals with mild periodontitis and fewer teeth exhibited a faster rate of left hippocampal atrophy. Conversely, in individuals with severe periodontitis, having more teeth was linked to a faster rate of atrophy.
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Study links tooth loss to brain shrinkage