September 15, 2026 - News
A Belgian interdisciplinary research team is investigating whether non-surgical periodontal treatment could reduce inflammation and help slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Supported by a grant from the Eklund Foundation, this study specifically investigates the relationship between oral health and cognitive health, including its potential impact on brain function, within the broader context of oral-systemic health research.
Interview with France Lambert, Leila Salhi, Yaman Al Taep and Dorien Van Hede at CHU Liège.
The link between periodontitis and systemic disease has been discussed for years, particularly in relation to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Now, a team at CHU Liège is taking that conversation a step further by asking whether periodontal treatment might also influence the course of Alzheimer’s disease.
The project brings together expertise from periodontology, neurology, imaging and biomedical science. Leading the work are Drs. France Lambert, head of the periodontology department at CHU Liège, periodontists Leila Salhi and Yaman Al Taep, and biomedical scientist Dorien Van Hede. Together, they are studying whether controlling periodontal inflammation can affect biological markers associated with Alzheimer’s and ultimately influence how the disease progresses.
Why the mouth-brain connection matters
The idea behind the study is grounded in a growing body of literature linking periodontitis to systemic inflammation. Researchers have long observed that periodontal bacteria and inflammatory mediators can enter the bloodstream and potentially affect organs far beyond the mouth. In Alzheimer’s disease, where neuroinflammation plays a central role, that connection becomes especially relevant.
“The hypothesis is not that periodontal treatment will cure Alzheimer’s,” the team stresses. “What we want to understand is whether it can slow progression.” By reducing periodontal infection and systemic inflammation, the researchers hope to limit one possible factor that may contribute to worsening neuroinflammation.
That distinction matters. While observational studies have suggested an association between gum disease and Alzheimer’s, interventional evidence is still lacking. This study aims to fill that gap by examining what happens when periodontal disease is actively treated in patients already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
An ambitious interventional study
The study, which started at the end of 2023, follows participants over 12 months in its first phase, with a second phase extending to 24 months. The team hopes to recruit 70 patients in total, although that target remains challenging. At the time of the interview, around 28 patients had been included, with roughly a third of the intended cohort recruited.
Participants in the study have early Alzheimer’s disease and periodontitis. To ensure diagnostic accuracy, the researchers use Alzheimer’s-specific biomarkers and cognitive tests before inclusion. Among the markers being monitored are amyloid beta, phosphorylated Tau-proteins and GFAP, alongside broader inflammatory markers such as TNF-alpha and interleukins. Additionally, twice brain imaging (3T MR scanner) was performed. The team is also analyzing oral microbiome samples to observe changes in periodontal bacteria after treatment.
The design is a randomized controlled trial, with important ethical safeguards. One group receives periodontal treatment immediately, while the delayed-treatment group receives care 6 months later. This allows the researchers to compare outcomes without leaving patients untreated for an extended period of time.
The challenge of treating a vulnerable patient group
Alzheimer’s patients can find it difficult to follow over time, not only because of age but because cognitive decline can progress rapidly. Some participants may move into care homes, become unable to continue treatment, or drop out for health-related reasons. At the time of the interview, the team had already recorded a significant number of dropouts, underlining the reality of conducting clinical research in this population.
Daily plaque control is another hurdle. Periodontal therapy depends heavily on oral hygiene at home, yet patients with memory loss may struggle to maintain brushing and interdental cleaning routines. The researchers therefore monitor outcomes such as bleeding on probing and plaque levels with realistic expectations for this group. Even so, motivating and supporting patients remains a major part of the study.
What success could mean in practice
If the findings support the hypothesis, the impact could reach well beyond the university clinic. Oral health promotion could become more integrated into dementia care, including in memory clinics and potentially in residential care settings. For dentistry, it would also strengthen a message clinicians have increasingly tried to communicate: treating the gums is not just about oral comfort or tooth retention, but about broader health.
The researchers believe that strong evidence could also help shift public understanding. While many healthcare professionals are familiar with the relationship between periodontitis and systemic disease, patients may still think of oral hygiene as something separate from general health. A clearer scientific basis linking periodontal care to healthy ageing could change that conversation.
There may also be policy implications. In some healthcare systems, periodontal care is still insufficiently reimbursed or not prioritized for older adults and vulnerable groups. Evidence from this type of study could support stronger inclusion of oral healthcare in wider preventive and supportive care models.
A grant that could change the trajectory
The project recently received a major boost through a grant of approximately €122,000 from the Eklund Foundation. For the team, the funding is more than financial support; it is also a strong endorsement of a difficult and ambitious research direction.
The funding will help cover biomarkers analyses, neuroimaging, staff for acquisition and follow-up procedures, essential components in a study that depends on detailed biological and clinical monitoring. It also gives the researchers a better platform to continue recruitment, refine the protocol and seek future funding for later stages of the work.
According to the team, receiving the grant was a point of pride not only because of its size, but because of what it represents. Periodontology research, particularly when linked to systemic disease, can be difficult to fund. Recognition at this level signals that the topic is gaining visibility and scientific credibility.
Looking ahead
Although the study is still ongoing and the team is cautious not to overstate early observations, preliminary data are beginning to emerge. The first analyses are expected to provide direction rather than definitive conclusions, since the current sample size is still too small for strong statistical claims. Even so, the researchers see value in every step forward.
What is already clear is that the project has created a powerful interdisciplinary collaboration between dental researchers, periodontists, neurologists, imaging specialists, and other healthcare professionals. That alone may shape future research.