Tests gum treatment in people with Alzheimer disease and gum disease
Tests whether gum disease treatment affects Alzheimer disease in adults with both conditions.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: EFFECT OF PERIODONTAL TREATMENT ON ALZHEIMER DISEASE-ASSOCIATED OUTCOMES
Key facts
- Where
- Liège, BelgiumSee the site
Where in Belgium
- CHU de Liège, Université de Liège Domaine du Sart TilmanLiège, BelgiumNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liege
- Trial code
- NCT07233512
- Record updated
- 18 November 2025
- Original description
Periodontitis is the most prevalent chronic infectious inflammatory disease in adults, leading to the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Beyond its local impact, periodontitis contributes to systemic inflammation through the release of periodontal pathogens and their byproducts into the bloodstream. Given that chronic intracerebral inflammation is a known driver of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, a biological link between the two conditions has been hypothesized. This study aims to evaluate whether periodontal treatment can influence AD progression by reducing systemic inflammation. We have designed a randomized controlled clinical trial including 70 patients diagnosed with both AD and stage 3 or 4 periodontitis, randomly allocated to receive either immediate (test group) or delayed (control group) periodontal therapy. All participants will undergo comprehensive periodontal treatment and be followed over a 24-month period. Cognitive assessments, periodontal evaluations, blood and saliva biomarker analyses, and neuroimaging will be conducted at multiple time points to assess the potential impact of periodontal therapy on AD progression. This trial represents the first clinical investigation into the effect of periodontal treatment on the course of Alzheimer's disease.Read full original descriptionShow less
EFFECT OF SURGICAL AND NON-SURGICAL PERIODONTAL TREATMENT ON ALZHEIMER DISEASE-ASSOCIATED OUTCOMES: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Periodontitis is the most prevalent chronic infectious inflammatory disease in adults, leading to the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Beyond its local impact, periodontitis contributes to systemic inflammation through the release of periodontal pathogens and their byproducts into the bloodstream. Given that chronic intracerebral inflammation is a known driver of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, a biological link between the two conditions has been hypothesized. This study aims to evaluate whether periodontal treatment can influence AD progression by reducing systemic inflammation. We have designed a randomized controlled clinical trial including 70 patients diagnosed with both AD and stage 3 or 4 periodontitis, randomly allocated to receive either immediate (test group) or delayed (control group) periodontal therapy. All participants will undergo comprehensive periodontal treatment and be followed over a 24-month period. Cognitive assessments, periodontal evaluations, blood and saliva biomarker analyses, and neuroimaging will be conducted at multiple time points to assess the potential impact of periodontal therapy on AD progression. This trial represents the first clinical investigation into the effect of periodontal treatment on the course of Alzheimer's disease.
Inclusion: Have to suffer from AD; Must agree to have brain imaging (without contra-indication for MRI); Possess a minimum of 10 residual teeth; Have an MMSE score greater than 15; Exhibit a DPSI score of ≥ 3+ indicating advanced periodontal disease.
Exclusion: Immunosuppressive drugs or chemotherapy; Participation in another clinical trial (30 days); Contra-indication for MRI; Use of antibiotics in the past 3 months.