Project Overview

Periodontal disease (PdD) has links and associations to Alzheimer’s diseases (AD). There is still no imminent cure for PdD, and treatment requires ongoing dental care. The bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG) plays a major role in gum disease and is also associated with AD. We have identified a small protein, naturally produced by the healthy gum around teeth, called SCPPPQ1, which has been shown to kill PG by disrupting its cell structure.

Our goal is to control PG to reduce impact on AD and determine the best way to use SCPPPQ1 against it.

We will apply advanced imaging methods to see whether PG enters the brain or achieves its effect at a distance.We will then use animal models to determine whether SCPPPQ1 can mitigate brain damage caused by PG when it attacks the gum. This will be the first time that PG will be attacked directly at the source.

Independently of whether SCPPPQ1 exerts its action at a distance or locally at the level of the gum, the demonstration that it can eliminate the growth of P. gingivalis and limit structural changes in brain tissue may provide a breakthrough in targeting an aggravating factor in the multifactorial cascade defining AD.

Our research is needed to validate the novel concept we propose, paving the way for new treatments. We hope this will help lessen the progression of AD, improve the quality of life for patients and their ability to live longer independently, and ease the burden on caregivers.

Principal Investigator

Antonio Nanci , University of Montreal

Team Members

Ravi Rungta, University of Montreal

Partners and Donors

Alzheimer Society of Canada