Study links nose picking to increased Alzheimer’s risk

Recent research has raised concerns about the health implications of nose picking, suggesting a potential link to Alzheimer’s disease. A letter published in the American Journal of the Medical Sciences highlights that germs transferred from fingers to the nose may travel to the brain, causing inflammation that could damage brain cells over time. This inflammation is believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The letter cites ten studies, including one funded by the National Institutes of Health, which support this connection. The researchers point out that pathogens such as the herpes virus and bacteria can enter the brain through the olfactory nerve, which connects the nose to the brain. These pathogens may lead to infections in the olfactory bulb, a brain region associated with smell, potentially resulting in the formation of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The authors emphasize that several pathogens linked to Alzheimer’s have been identified in post-mortem analyses, reinforcing the need for further investigation. The letter, authored by researchers from the Services Institute of Medical Sciences in Pakistan and the Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, builds on previous studies that have also raised alarms about the risks associated with nose picking. They advocate for simple preventative measures, such as regular hand washing, to mitigate these risks. The researchers note that the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the importance of hand hygiene in reducing the likelihood of infections. Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia in the UK, affecting around 850,000 individuals. The researchers call for larger case-control studies to explore the association between nose picking and Alzheimer’s disease more thoroughly, highlighting the need for increased awareness and preventive strategies to protect brain health.