Prone to nose-picking? Study suggests a surprising link between this common habit and Alzheimer's
But did you know, this age-old habit of picking your nose might have a bigger impact on your health?
A study has found a possible, though yet to be proven, connection between picking your nose and a higher risk of dementia.
Read on to know more!
What's happening?
The research in question was published in
Scientific Reports
. The idea is this: if nose-picking damages the delicate inner tissue, it can create an easier pathway for certain bacteria to reach the brain.
Once there, the brain may react in ways similar to the early signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers stress that this link is far from certain. The current evidence comes from studies in mice, not humans. Still, the findings could help scientists better understand how Alzheimer's starts, something that still remains a mystery.
How the study was conducted
The research team, led by scientists at Griffith University in Australia, studied a bacterium called Chlamydia pneumoniae.
This germ can infect humans and cause pneumonia, and has also been found in most brains affected by late-onset dementia.
In mice, the team discovered that the bacteria could travel along the olfactory nerve, the pathway connecting the nasal cavity to the brain. Damage to the nasal epithelium (the thin tissue lining the roof of the nasal cavity) made the infection worse.
This damage triggered the mouse brains to release more amyloid-beta protein, which the body produces to fight infections.
Unfortunately, amyloid-beta can clump into plaques, a hallmark often seen in people with Alzheimer's disease.
"We're the first to show that Chlamydia pneumoniae can go directly up the nose and into the brain where it can set off pathologies that look like Alzheimer's disease," said neuroscientist James St John from Griffith University in October 2022, as quoted by Science Alert. He added, "We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans as well."
Why scientists are now paying attention
The bacteria spread quickly in mice, reaching the brain within 24 to 72 hours. Researchers believe bacteria and viruses may use the nose as a shortcut to the central nervous system.
It's still unclear whether the same happens in humans or whether amyloid-beta plaques actually cause Alzheimer's. But St John says it's worth investigating: "We need to do this study in humans and confirm whether the same pathway operates in the same way," he said.
"What we do know is that these same bacteria are present in humans, but we haven't worked out how they get there."
Everyday habits and potential risks: Finding the link
Nose-picking isn't rare; in fact, research suggests that up to 9 out of 10 people do it, along with several other animal species. While most see it as harmless, this study suggests there might be hidden risks. Until more is known, St John and his colleagues recommend avoiding both nose-picking and nose-hair plucking, as both can damage protective nasal tissue.
The bigger picture in Alzheimer's research
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, eventually impacting the ability to carry out even simple tasks. It's the most common form of dementia. While symptoms can vary, they often include memory loss, difficulty with thinking and reasoning, and changes in mood and behavior. There's currently no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms and slow the disease's progression.
One key question researchers want to answer is whether amyloid-beta deposits are a temporary immune response that disappears after infection, or if they cause lasting harm. Alzheimer's is a complex disease with many possible causes, from age to environmental exposure. As St John explains: "Once you get over 65 years old, your risk factor goes right up, but we're looking at other causes as well, because it's not just age, it is environmental exposure as well.
And we think that bacteria and viruses are critical."
Every new piece of research adds to the puzzle. While the findings from this mouse study don't prove a direct link, they do highlight an intriguing possibility that could bring us one step closer to understanding and one day preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Weekly Health News (August 11-18)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
6 hours ago
- Economic Times
Scientists find possible artefacts of oldest known Wallacean hominids in Indonesia
Synopsis Archaeologists in Sulawesi, Indonesia, have unearthed stone tools dating back 1.5 million years, potentially rewriting early human migration theories. The discovery suggests Homo Erectus inhabited Wallacea, a region between Asia and Australia, much earlier than previously believed. This challenges the notion that early humans were incapable of significant sea travel, impacting understanding of prehistoric settlements. TIL Creatives AI generated image for representative purpose Scientists have found a series of stone tools on Indonesia's Sulawesi island they say may be evidence of humans living 1.5 million years ago on islands between Asia and Australia, the earliest known humans in the Wallacea region. Archaeologists from Australia and Indonesia found the small, chipped tools, used to cut little animals and carve rocks, under the soil in the region of Soppeng in South Sulawesi. Radioactive tracing of these tools and the teeth of animals found around the site were dated at up to 1.48 million years ago. The findings could transform theories of early human migrations, according to an article the archaeologists published in the journal Nature in August. The earliest Wallacean humans, pre-historic persons known as Homo Erectus, were thought to have only settled in Indonesia's Flores island and Philippines' Luzon island around 1.02 million years ago, as they were thought to be incapable of distant sea travel, proving the significance of the Sulawesi findings in theories of migration. "These were artefacts made by ancient humans who lived on the earth long before the evolution of our species, Homo Sapiens," said Adam Brumm, lead archaeologist from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia. "We think Homo Erectus somehow got from the Asian mainland across a significant ocean gap to this island, Sulawesi, at least 1 million years ago," Brumm said. Wallacea is a region in Eastern Indonesia including several islands such as Sulawesi, Lombok, Flores, Timor, Sumbawa that lie between Borneo and Java and Australia and New Guinea. The region is named for the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace who studied the fauna and flora of the area.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Prone to nose-picking? Study suggests a surprising link between this common habit and Alzheimer's
Ever noticed someone being lost in oblivion, picking their nose like time had frozen still? Well, you're not alone! We all have been witnesses to this slightly embarrassing yet quite common act. But did you know, this age-old habit of picking your nose might have a bigger impact on your health? A study has found a possible, though yet to be proven, connection between picking your nose and a higher risk of dementia. Read on to know more! What's happening? The research in question was published in Scientific Reports . The idea is this: if nose-picking damages the delicate inner tissue, it can create an easier pathway for certain bacteria to reach the brain. Once there, the brain may react in ways similar to the early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers stress that this link is far from certain. The current evidence comes from studies in mice, not humans. Still, the findings could help scientists better understand how Alzheimer's starts, something that still remains a mystery. How the study was conducted The research team, led by scientists at Griffith University in Australia, studied a bacterium called Chlamydia pneumoniae. This germ can infect humans and cause pneumonia, and has also been found in most brains affected by late-onset dementia. In mice, the team discovered that the bacteria could travel along the olfactory nerve, the pathway connecting the nasal cavity to the brain. Damage to the nasal epithelium (the thin tissue lining the roof of the nasal cavity) made the infection worse. This damage triggered the mouse brains to release more amyloid-beta protein, which the body produces to fight infections. Unfortunately, amyloid-beta can clump into plaques, a hallmark often seen in people with Alzheimer's disease. "We're the first to show that Chlamydia pneumoniae can go directly up the nose and into the brain where it can set off pathologies that look like Alzheimer's disease," said neuroscientist James St John from Griffith University in October 2022, as quoted by Science Alert. He added, "We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans as well." Why scientists are now paying attention The bacteria spread quickly in mice, reaching the brain within 24 to 72 hours. Researchers believe bacteria and viruses may use the nose as a shortcut to the central nervous system. It's still unclear whether the same happens in humans or whether amyloid-beta plaques actually cause Alzheimer's. But St John says it's worth investigating: "We need to do this study in humans and confirm whether the same pathway operates in the same way," he said. "What we do know is that these same bacteria are present in humans, but we haven't worked out how they get there." Everyday habits and potential risks: Finding the link Nose-picking isn't rare; in fact, research suggests that up to 9 out of 10 people do it, along with several other animal species. While most see it as harmless, this study suggests there might be hidden risks. Until more is known, St John and his colleagues recommend avoiding both nose-picking and nose-hair plucking, as both can damage protective nasal tissue. The bigger picture in Alzheimer's research Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, eventually impacting the ability to carry out even simple tasks. It's the most common form of dementia. While symptoms can vary, they often include memory loss, difficulty with thinking and reasoning, and changes in mood and behavior. There's currently no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms and slow the disease's progression. One key question researchers want to answer is whether amyloid-beta deposits are a temporary immune response that disappears after infection, or if they cause lasting harm. Alzheimer's is a complex disease with many possible causes, from age to environmental exposure. As St John explains: "Once you get over 65 years old, your risk factor goes right up, but we're looking at other causes as well, because it's not just age, it is environmental exposure as well. And we think that bacteria and viruses are critical." Every new piece of research adds to the puzzle. While the findings from this mouse study don't prove a direct link, they do highlight an intriguing possibility that could bring us one step closer to understanding and one day preventing Alzheimer's disease. Weekly Health News (August 11-18)
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Scientists find possible artefacts of oldest known Wallacean hominids in Indonesia
Archaeologists in Sulawesi, Indonesia, have unearthed stone tools dating back 1.5 million years, potentially rewriting early human migration theories. The discovery suggests Homo Erectus inhabited Wallacea, a region between Asia and Australia, much earlier than previously believed. This challenges the notion that early humans were incapable of significant sea travel, impacting understanding of prehistoric settlements. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Scientists have found a series of stone tools on Indonesia's Sulawesi island they say may be evidence of humans living 1.5 million years ago on islands between Asia and Australia, the earliest known humans in the Wallacea from Australia and Indonesia found the small, chipped tools, used to cut little animals and carve rocks, under the soil in the region of Soppeng in South Sulawesi. Radioactive tracing of these tools and the teeth of animals found around the site were dated at up to 1.48 million years findings could transform theories of early human migrations, according to an article the archaeologists published in the journal Nature in earliest Wallacean humans, pre-historic persons known as Homo Erectus , were thought to have only settled in Indonesia's Flores island and Philippines' Luzon island around 1.02 million years ago, as they were thought to be incapable of distant sea travel, proving the significance of the Sulawesi findings in theories of migration."These were artefacts made by ancient humans who lived on the earth long before the evolution of our species, Homo Sapiens," said Adam Brumm, lead archaeologist from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia."We think Homo Erectus somehow got from the Asian mainland across a significant ocean gap to this island, Sulawesi, at least 1 million years ago," Brumm is a region in Eastern Indonesia including several islands such as Sulawesi, Lombok, Flores, Timor, Sumbawa that lie between Borneo and Java and Australia and New Guinea. The region is named for the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace who studied the fauna and flora of the area.
