Picking your nose is considered a bad habit by many, but it could also have a detrimental impact on your health, according to Griffith University scientists. The study found chlamydia pneumoniae, a type of bacteria that can cause respiratory tract infections, exploited the nerve extending between the nasal cavity and the brain as an invasion path to assault the central nervous system.
In response, cells in the brain began depositing amyloid beta protein which is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Professor James St John, Head of the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, said: “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.
“We saw this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially scary for humans as well.”
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“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.”
Smell tests may also help detect Alzheimer’s, according to Professor St John, as loss of sense of smell is often deemed an early indicator.
He suggests smell tests from when a person turns 60 years old could be beneficial as an early detector.
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He said: “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.”
There’s no certain way to prevent all types of dementia, but there’s good evidence a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing dementia when you’re older.
It may also help being aware of the risk factors. The NHS lists these as:
- age: the older you are, the more likely you are to develop dementia. However, dementia is not a natural part of ageing
- genes: in general, genes alone are not thought to cause dementia. However, certain genetic factors are involved with some of the less common types. Dementia usually develops because of a combination of genetic and “environmental” factors, such as smoking and a lack of regular exercise
- lower levels of education
Other risk factors may also be important:
- hearing loss
- untreated depression
- loneliness or social isolation
- sitting for most of the day
And the following may help reduce your risk:
- eating a healthy, balanced diet
- maintaining a healthy weight
- exercising regularly
- keeping alcohol within recommended limits
- stopping smoking
- keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level