Scientists warn: picking your nose can lead to dementia (3 photos)

A recent study confirmed the link between nose picking and an increased risk of dementia. When the nasal epithelium is damaged, bacteria can enter the brain and cause the development of Alzheimer's disease.





There are a lot of caveats here, as the research has only been done on mice and not humans so far, but the results are definitely worth further study.

Scientists at Griffith University in Australia conducted tests with a bacterium called Chlamydia pneumoniae, which can infect humans and cause pneumonia. This bacterium has been found in the brains of people suffering from severe dementia.



It was found that in mice, bacteria can travel along the olfactory nerve (connecting the nasal cavity and the brain). Moreover, when the nasal epithelium was damaged, infections intensified.

This led to more beta-amyloid, a protein that is released in response to infections, being deposited in the mice's brains. Plaques (or clumps) of this protein are also found in high concentrations in people with Alzheimer's disease.

"We have shown for the first time that Chlamydia pneumoniae can penetrate directly into the nose and into the brain, where it causes pathologies similar to Alzheimer's disease. We saw this in mice, which indicates a potential danger for people," said neuroscientist James St. John from Griffith University.



Scientists were surprised by the speed with which C. pneumoniae entered the brain: infection occurred within 24 to 72 hours. It is believed that bacteria and viruses view the nose as a fast route to the brain.

"We need to do a human study to confirm whether this pathway works in the same way. All we know is that these bacteria are present in the human body, but we haven't figured out how they get there," says St. John.

You should refrain from picking your nose and plucking your hair.

Alzheimer's disease is a complex disease, as evidenced by the huge amount of research and various approaches with which scientists are trying to find a way to treat it.

"Once you get over 65, the risk factor goes up, but we look at other factors as well. It's not just age, it's also environmental exposure. And we think bacteria and viruses are critical," Saint concluded. John.