Abstract:
World Health Organization (WHO) states that the global prevalence of dementia is
estimated to be 55 million, making it a significant public health concern. A person’s daily life
is greatly impacted by dementia, a severe form of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment
is the word used to characterize problems with learning, memory loss, concentration issues,
and trouble making decisions. With declining changes in cognitive capacities as people age,
cognitive impairment is another age-related degenerative disorder. Cognitive impairment in
middle-aged and older adults can advance from subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) to mild
cognitive impairment (MCI). Significantly, studies indicate that dental and cognitive health are
correlated. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiome, which shows up as a shift toward excess growth
of pathobiont within the typical microflora and an increase in local inflammation, has a
substantial impact on the onset and progression of periodontitis. Numerous systemic disorders
have been associated with Fusobacterium nucleatum, an infection that greatly grows in
periodontitis. As far as cognitive impairment is concerned, this study is the first to assess the
prevalence of F. nucleatum in the Pakistani population across various age groups. In Pakistan,
no previous study of this kind has been conducted. A comprehensive survey was also carried
out in this investigation to determine the prevalence of F. nucleatum that causes cognitive
impairment. The bacterial load among the cognitively impaired group of participants with
lower MMSE scores was higher as compared to the healthy group of participants. The results
indicate that F. nucleatum may be involved in cognitive alterations. Consequently, the probable
contribution of F. nucleatum provides information about a potential link between cognitive
decline and its prevalence. The present study suggests that the occurrence of bleeding and
redness in those with lower MMSE scores emphasizes the connection between dental health
and cognitive function. Due to significant cognitive loss, poor oral hygiene was more common
in participants with lower MMSE scores. This made it challenging for the cognitively impaired
group of participants to maintain good oral hygiene. Thus, the prevalence of F. nucleatum in
addition to other oral health issues can contribute towards a greater decline in MMSE scores in
the aging population.
