PHILADELPHIA, March 10 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers said Wednesday they have found a link between the bacteria Chlyamydia pneumoniae and the development of Alzheimer's disease.
The researchers, at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, said the bacteria seem linked to the formation of amyloid plaques found in the brains of people who have sporadic, non-hereditary Alzheimer's.
In the research, when the bacteria were sprayed into the noses of mice not predisposed to amyloid plaques, the animals developed the plaques and exhibited Alzheimer's symptoms.
"We believe this could be a trigger mechanism for the pathology in Alzheimer's disease," said lead researcher Brian Balin. "People have been suspecting this for decades but could not find anything. It is very difficult to pinpoint an infectious cause for a progressive, chronic disease."
