[STUDY] Nose-Picking Could Increase Alzheimer's Disease Risk; Other Daily Habits That Can Lead to Dementia

Griffin Davis , Tech Times 27 April 2023, 11:04 am

Nose-picking may seem like a harmless habit that one can do every day.

[STUDY] Nose-Picking Could Increase Alzheimer's Disease Risk; Other Daily Habits That Can Lead to Dementia

(Photo: Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
A woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease walks in a corridor on March 18, 2011, in a retirement house in Angervilliers, eastern France. AFP PHOTO / SEBASTIEN BOZON (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)

However, a study revealed that this action could actually increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Griffith University conducted research involving mice. Their study claimed that the bacteria called "Chlamydia pneumoniae" can create markers linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Involved researchers stated that the bacteria could use the nerve extending between the nasal cavity and the brain to invade the nervous system.

After that, the brain will respond by depositing amyloid beta protein, which is an Alzheimer's disease hallmark.

Nose-Picking Could Increase Alzheimer's Disease Risk

Griffith University published its official study in the Nature Scientific Reports journal.

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Wilders gives a voice to Dutch unease about immigration- (FILES) File picture of Dutch Geert Wilders, leader of the parliamentary party Partij voor de Vrijheid, PVV (Party for Freedom) picking his nose during a parliamentary session in The Hague, 01 March 2007.

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In their experiments, instead of leaving the mice alone and waiting for them to pick their noses, Griffith University's researchers decided to insert the bacteria up their noses.

After 72 hours, the Chlamydia pneumoniae was able to infect the brain of the mice; as well as their olfactory, olfactory bulb, and trigeminal nerves.

But how does inserting the bacteria in mice similar to nose-picking?

One of the study's authors, James St. John, PhD., said that nose-picking could damage the insides of people's noses.

Even plucking the nose hair can also lead to the same outcome.

"If you damage the lining of the nose, you can increase how many bacteria can go up into your brain," he added via Forbes.

Other Daily Habits That Can Increase Alzheimer's Risks

Although Griffith University's study only involved mice, its findings should not be taken lightly. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Aside from nose-picking, previous studies also provided other daily habits that can increase the risk of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.
These include the following:

Having poor sleep or unstable sleeping patterns.
Eating junk food and other unhealthy consumables.
Practicing daily isolation; many experts believe that lack of social interaction can increase cognitive decline risks.
Avoiding physical activities every day (sedentary lifestyle).

Previously, a biomarker test, which can detect Alzheimer's neurodegeneration in the blood faster, was introduced.

Meanwhile, experts claimed that the brain-reading headphones called Ear-EGG could detect Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

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