Understanding the Connection Between Gum Disease and Alzheimer's
Official title: A Longitudinal Study of Periodontal Infections and Alzheimer's Disease: The WHICAP Ancillary Study of Oral Health
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11126701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores if gum disease might increase the risk of memory problems and Alzheimer's disease in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $767,961 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG076015-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126701 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research focuses on existing participants in the WHICAP Ancillary Study of Oral Health, a multi-ethnic longitudinal cohort of aging elderly residing in northern Manhattan.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not already part of the established WHICAP cohort would not directly benefit from participation in this specific grant.
What this research studies
Gum disease, a common infection that affects tooth support, becomes more prevalent as people age, especially in certain communities. We know that gum disease and Alzheimer's disease often appear together, but we don't fully understand if one causes the other or how they are linked. This project will follow a group of older adults in northern Manhattan who have been part of a long-term health project for nearly 30 years. By looking at their dental health alongside their medical history and memory test results, we hope to uncover how gum disease might contribute to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify gum disease as a preventable risk factor for Alzheimer's, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention or early intervention.
How similar studies have gone: While previous studies suggest a link between gum disease and Alzheimer's, this research aims to provide a more definitive understanding of the causal pathway and mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Noble, James Mccallum — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Noble, James Mccallum
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This study is looking at whether gum disease might be linked to Alzheimer's disease by tracking the health and thinking skills of older adults in northern Manhattan over time, so if you're interested in how oral health could affect brain health, this research might be for you!
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.