ORAL BACTERIA LINKED TO RISK OF STROKE In a new study of patients entering the hospital for acute stroke, researchers have increased their understanding of an association between certain types of stroke and the presence of an oral bacterium (cnm- positive Streptococcus mutans). Among the patients who experienced intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), 26 percent were found to have a specific bacterium in their saliva, cnm-positive S. mutans. Among patients with other types of stroke, only 6 percent tested positive for the bacterium. The researchers also evaluated MRIS of study subjects for the presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB), small brain hemorrhages which may cause dementia and also often underlie ICH. They found that the number of CMBS was significantly higher in subjects with cnm- positive S. mutans than in those without. The authors hypothesize that the S. mutans bacteria may bind to blood vessels weakened by age and high blood pressure, causing arterial ruptures in the brain, leading to small or large hemorrhages. The Study's lead author summed it up: "This study shows that oral health is important for brain health. People need to take care of their teeth because it is good for their brain and their heart as well as their teeth. The study and related work in our labs have shown that oral bacteria are involved in several kinds of stroke, including brain hemorrhages and strokes that lead to dementia." Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL 1860479 ORAL BACTERIA LINKED TO RISK OF STROKE In a new study of patients entering the hospital for acute stroke, researchers have increased their understanding of an association between certain types of stroke and the presence of an oral bacterium (cnm- positive Streptococcus mutans). Among the patients who experienced intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), 26 percent were found to have a specific bacterium in their saliva, cnm-positive S. mutans. Among patients with other types of stroke, only 6 percent tested positive for the bacterium. The researchers also evaluated MRIS of study subjects for the presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB), small brain hemorrhages which may cause dementia and also often underlie ICH. They found that the number of CMBS was significantly higher in subjects with cnm- positive S. mutans than in those without. The authors hypothesize that the S. mutans bacteria may bind to blood vessels weakened by age and high blood pressure, causing arterial ruptures in the brain, leading to small or large hemorrhages. The Study's lead author summed it up: "This study shows that oral health is important for brain health. People need to take care of their teeth because it is good for their brain and their heart as well as their teeth. The study and related work in our labs have shown that oral bacteria are involved in several kinds of stroke, including brain hemorrhages and strokes that lead to dementia." Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL 1860479