Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2025, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (7): 1930-1943.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01761

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Unraveling brain aging through the lens of oral microbiota

Qinchao Hu1, 2, Si Wang3, 4, *, Weiqi Zhang5, 6, 7, 8, *, Jing Qu6, 7, 8, 9, 10, *, Guang-Hui Liu1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, *   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;  2 Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China;  3 Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China;  4 Aging Translational Medicine Center, International Center for Aging and Cancer, Beijing Municipal Geriatric Medical Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China;  5 CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China;  6 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;  7 Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;  8 Aging Biomarker Consortium, Beijing, China;  9 State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;  10 Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
  • Online:2025-07-15 Published:2024-11-26
  • Contact: Si Wang, PhD, wangsi@xwh.ccmu.edu.cn; Weiqi Zhang, PhD, zhangwq@big.ac.cn; Jing Qu, PhD, qujing@ioz.ac.cn; Guang-Hui Liu, PhD, ghliu@ioz.ac.cn.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81921006 (to GHL).

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Abstract: The oral cavity is a complex physiological community encompassing a wide range of microorganisms. Dysbiosis of oral microbiota can lead to various oral infectious diseases, such as periodontitis and tooth decay, and even affect systemic health, including brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have highlighted how oral microbes might be involved in brain aging and neurodegeneration, indicating potential avenues for intervention strategies. In this review, we summarize clinical evidence demonstrating a link between oral microbes/oral infectious diseases and brain aging/neurodegenerative diseases, and dissect potential mechanisms by which oral microbes contribute to brain aging and neurodegeneration. We also highlight advances in therapeutic development grounded in the realm of oral microbes, with the goal of advancing brain health and promoting healthy aging.

Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, brain aging, multiple sclerosis, neurodegeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, oral microbiota, Parkinson’s disease, periodontitis, bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis