Is nose-picking linked to dementia? Scientists are on the lookout
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Nose-picking is generally considered to be a gross and annoying habit, but did you know that it could also potentially have some serious health consequences?
Australian researchers are currently looking into whether or not picking your nose could help a bacteria linked to dementia get into the brain.
Yes, you read that correctly. Scientists want to figure out if a bacteria known to cause late-onset dementia in humans can enter brains through the nose in the same way it does in mice.
This potential link between picking your nose and developing dementia will be part of a new study conducted by Griffith University researchers.
In a previous research study, the scientists were already able to prove that the Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria can enter mice's brains through their olfactory nerves (which are located inside their noses).
According to Professor James St John, mouse brain cells react to the bacteria by depositing amyloid beta protein, which forms plaques that damage neurons and cells in Alzheimer's disease patients.
These findings demonstrate that viruses and bacteria can avoid the body's defences and go directly to the brain via the olfactory nerve, rather than entering the circulatory system.
'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 the scientist.
'We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans as well.'
So what does this mean for humans? Well, unfortunately, we don't yet know for sure - as scientists haven't been able to prove definitively that the same nasal pathway exists in people, too.
However, Professor St John says they're planning another study specifically designed to test this theory in human subjects.
He also warns there may be a risk that picking your nose or plucking nasal hairs could increase your chances of developing dementia later on down the line.
'We don't want to damage the inside of our nose, and picking and plucking can do that. If you damage the lining of the nose, you can increase how many bacteria can go up into your brain,' he said.
If you're interested in learning more about lowering your chance of developing dementia, have a look at one of our previous articles.
So there you have it — yet another compelling argument for why you shouldn't pick at those pesky boogers. If you need more reasons to finally kick the annoying habit, watch the video below:
Credit: Institute of Human Anatomy.
Australian researchers are currently looking into whether or not picking your nose could help a bacteria linked to dementia get into the brain.
Yes, you read that correctly. Scientists want to figure out if a bacteria known to cause late-onset dementia in humans can enter brains through the nose in the same way it does in mice.
This potential link between picking your nose and developing dementia will be part of a new study conducted by Griffith University researchers.
In a previous research study, the scientists were already able to prove that the Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria can enter mice's brains through their olfactory nerves (which are located inside their noses).
According to Professor James St John, mouse brain cells react to the bacteria by depositing amyloid beta protein, which forms plaques that damage neurons and cells in Alzheimer's disease patients.
These findings demonstrate that viruses and bacteria can avoid the body's defences and go directly to the brain via the olfactory nerve, rather than entering the circulatory system.
'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 the scientist.
'We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans as well.'
So what does this mean for humans? Well, unfortunately, we don't yet know for sure - as scientists haven't been able to prove definitively that the same nasal pathway exists in people, too.
However, Professor St John says they're planning another study specifically designed to test this theory in human subjects.
He also warns there may be a risk that picking your nose or plucking nasal hairs could increase your chances of developing dementia later on down the line.
'We don't want to damage the inside of our nose, and picking and plucking can do that. If you damage the lining of the nose, you can increase how many bacteria can go up into your brain,' he said.
If you're interested in learning more about lowering your chance of developing dementia, have a look at one of our previous articles.
Key Takeaways
- There is a potential link between picking your nose and dementia.
- Scientists are trying to work out if a bacteria linked to dementia gets into human brains through the nose as it does in mice.
- Professor St John warned there is a potential risk that picking your nose or plucking nasal hairs could increase your chances of developing dementia.
Credit: Institute of Human Anatomy.