Trigeminal influences and Locus Coeruleus: Tips for countermeasures, therapies and precocious diagnosis in dementia

Masticatory dysfunction is a risk factor for Alzheimer ‘s disease (AD), likely due to the trigeminal influences on the Locus Coeruleus (LC), a structure implicated in neurodegenerative processes and whose activity level is reflected by pupil size. Chewing activity acutely stimulates cognitive performance by increasing LC activation during task, as reflected by an increased pupil dilatation (mydriasis). The presence of a trigeminal sensorimotor imbalance is associated to an asymmetry in LC activity (reflected by an asymmetry in pupil size) and is detrimental for performance. These observations prompt for developing testing procedure, in normal elders and in patients affected by AD, aimed to: 1) study the presence of trigeminal asymmetries and to assess the possible contribution of occlusal correction in improving the subject's condition and in preventing/delaying the AD development; 2) verify the stimulating effect of chewing on cognitive performance and task-related mydriasis as an estimate of the LC excitability for determining the subject condition and its susceptibility to undergo AD development. Procedures appropriate for achieving these goals are proposed.