AB4AD

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the major cause of dementia, responsible for 60-70% of cases, leading to irrevocable memory loss and behavior changes. Prior studies have shown a link between germ exposure, immune response, and the probability of developing AD, known as ‘The Pathogen Hypothesis’. Despite a body of evidence, this angle has been under-explored due to the current focus on protein aggregation in the AD research world. There are two germs that are of special interest; herpes (the common cold sore), and *P.gigivalis* (gum disease), both of which are shown to increase your AD-risk. We would like to understand how specific individuals remain dementia-free well into their 90s and 100s, *despite being exposed to those same pathogens*. We are looking to raise $192,570 USD to test saliva and blood samples from elderly individuals without dementia for antibodies against these germs. By comparing these results with samples from AD patients and younger people, we hope to discover protective antibodies. These results will be used to create an AD diagnostic tool that will enable cheap, non-invasive, early diagnosis of asymptomatic individuals; a stark advantage when compared to current diagnostic tools. It will also serve as a valuable data collection tool, which will be used to support the long-term goal of developing a vaccine to protect against AD, offering new hope for millions of people and their families.