Picking your nose could increase the risk of developing dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease, according to Australian researchers.
This is a conclusion that may seem surprising. But according to scientists at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, picking your nose could increase the chances of developing degenerative diseases, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Animal studies
“We are the first to show that Chlamydia pneumoniae can travel directly from the nose to the brain where it can trigger conditions that resemble Alzheimer’s disease. We have observed this in mice, and it is potentially frightening for humans as well,” said Professor St. John, one of the authors of the article, in a press release.
Chlamydia pneumoniae is a bacterium that has the ability to attack the brain and settle in this region of the human body. After several tests on rodents, the scientists noticed that the brains of the latter were affected in less than 72 hours. Within 2 to 28 days, the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease appeared.
Humans, the future target of trials
For now, scientists hope to conduct a similar study in humans to learn a bit more about the mechanism that affects rodents.
“This is research that has been proposed by many people, but has not yet been completed,” added Professor St. John.