Carballo A, López-Dequidt I, Custodia A et al. Association of periodontitis with cognitive decline and its progression: Contribution of blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease to this relationship. J Clin Periodontol 2023; DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13861.

Periodontitis is associated with cognitive decline and its progression in elderly patients with a previous history of hypertension.

This study assessed whether periodontitis is associated with cognitive decline and its progression as well as with certain blood-based markers of Alzheimer's disease. Data from a two-year follow-up prospective cohort study (n = 101) were analysed. Participants with a previous history of hypertension and aged ≥60 years were included. All of them received a full-mouth periodontal examination and cognitive function assessments. Plasma levels of amyloid beta (Aβ)1-40 , Aβ1-42 , phosphorylated and total Tau (p-Tau and t-Tau) were determined at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Periodontitis was associated with poor cognitive performance and progression of cognitive impairment. Subjects with periodontitis showed greater baseline levels of p-Tau and Aβ1-40 compared with those without periodontitis. Concentrations of the latter protein also increased over time only in the periodontitis group. Periodontitis is associated with cognitive decline and its progression in elderly patients with a previous history of hypertension. Overexpression of p-Tau and Aβ1-40 may play a role.