Nose picking is known as inappropriate behavior. That’s why it’s not generally welcome among people. Also, it’s definitely not a very good behavior. But picking your nose may also increase your risk of two frightening diseases.
ALZHEIMER AND DEMENTIA RISK IN NOSE PICKING
New research may make you think twice before picking your nose. Because research suggests that picking your nose can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The source of this finding is Griffith University researchers. Researchers claimed that a bacterium was able to travel through the olfactory nerve in the nose and reach the brain of mice, where it produced symptoms that are a sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, showed that a bacterial species, Chlamydia pneumoniae, uses the nerve that runs between the nasal cavity and the brain as an invasion route to invade the central nervous system. Cells in the brain then responded by accumulating the amyloid beta protein, which is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
“SCARY FOR PEOPLE”
Professor James St John, Chair of the Clem Jones Center for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, co-author of the world-first study, said: “We are the first to show that chlamydial pneumonia can travel directly up the nose to the brain and trigger pathologies resembling Alzheimer’s disease. We have seen this happen in a mouse model, and the evidence is potentially It’s scary for people too.” said.
The olfactory nerve in the nose is directly exposed to air and offers a short route to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. This is a pathway by which viruses and bacteria easily reach the brain.
The team at the center is already planning the next phase of the research and aims to prove that the same pathway exists in humans.
THEY WANT TO EXPERIMENT ON PEOPLE
Professor St John said: “We need to do this study in humans and confirm whether the pathway in question works in the same way. This is research that has been proposed by many but has not yet been completed. What we do know is that the same bacteria are also present in humans. But we haven’t yet figured out how they got there.” said.
Professor St John has some suggestions for people who want to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
“DO NOT PICK YOUR NOSE, DON’T PUT HAIRS”
“It’s not a good idea to pick the nose and pick the hairs on the nose,” said St John. “If you damage the nasal lining, you can increase the number of bacteria that will go to your brain.”
Professor St John said losing the sense of smell is an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. He suggested that odor tests could be useful as a detector from the time a person turns 60.
“Once you’re over 65, your risk factor goes up, but we’re looking at other causes as well, because it’s not just age, it’s an environmental exposure. We think bacteria and viruses are critical.” said.