A common bacteria best known for causing mild cold-like illnesses could linger in the body for years and worsen Alzheimer's, new research suggests. Compellingly, researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles suggest prompt treatment with antibiotics, when the infection is detected, could one day help reduce dementia risk. To make their discovery, researchers examined donated eye tissue from more than 100 people who had died with Alzheimer's, mild cognitive impairment or no signs of dementia. This has led scientists to theorize dementia and the bacteria could be linked. To test whether the bacteria could actively contribute to the disease process, the scientists also ran experiments in the lab.

Source: Daily Mail February 03, 2026 20:19 UTC