- Researchers studying the bacteria found
it contains material found in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers.
-
- Amyloid fibres destroy brain cells, causing
memory loss and confusion in the victim. Scientists working at Washington
University in the US city of St Louis think there is a link between the
food bug and Alzheimer's.
-
- Dr Matt Chapman said: "Some people
who get e.coli may be at risk of amyloid breaking away in the gut, getting
to the brain via the blood." In its mildest form, e.coli can result
in nothing worse than a tummy upset.
-
- Dr Chapman, whose research will appear
in the journal Science, added: "Even those who become very ill with
the food bug, there would be no reason to expect it to affect their brains."
-
- A lot of work still has to be done to
confirm a link between e.coli and Alzheimer's, the doctor said.
-
- Previous research has indicated bacteria
may cause the brain disease.
-
- Researchers found a majority of people
who die from Alzheimer's also suffered from chlamydia pneumonia, another
common infection.
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- http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.
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