It is clear that our understanding of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer‘s and related disorders is incomplete. It has been proposed that the disease is caused by cerebral amyloid deposition, but there is considerable evidence that this view is misguided. Many older persons have amyloid deposits in the brain and are not cognitively impaired. Furthermore, removal of the cerebral amyloid by monoclonal antibodies causes only a minimal improvement in cognitive decline. Recent studies show that there is a clearance pathway involving lymphatic drainage which removes toxic elements from the brain. It is proposed that the clearance pathway begins near the brain’s borders, involving the veins and meninges. Products of the pathway are delivered to the deep lymph system in the neck. The role of the microbiome in this clearance pathway has not been evaluated. I propose that microbes in the skin influence the efficacy of the pathway. I also propose that the microbial contents of the oropharynx influence the ability of the neck lymph system to receive the material from the brain. I will present evidence from research in transgenic Alzheimer model mice concerning the role of amyloid aggregates in the skin and neurodegeneration.

This is a joint seminar with Medical Innovation Research Center.

▼Seminar leaflet