Could Infections Be the Key to Alzheimer’s?

Brian Balin, PhD, Shares Groundbreaking Research on New Risk Factors and Treatments

Dr. Brian J. Balin, PhD, Professor of the Department of Bio-Medical Sciences and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowed Chair for Aging Research in Honor of Ruth E. Purdy, DO, George O. Faerber, DO, and Peter E. Johnston, DO, at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, shared his pioneering insights into the link between infections and Alzheimer’s during the 2025 J.O. Watson, DO, Memorial Lecture at the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium April 12th at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.

Dr. Balin, a trailblazer in Alzheimer’s research, was joined by Dr. Graciela Muniz-Terrera, PhD, Professor of Social Medicine and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, DO, Endowed Professor in Health and Aging at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, to present Perspectives on Infections as Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Sponsored by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation (OHF), the session examined how infections, neuroinflammation, and systemic health factors contribute to Alzheimer’s progression. The presenters also discussed the broader implications of these findings for early diagnosis, intervention, and treatment strategies—insights that could reshape how physicians approach Alzheimer’s and other agingrelated diseases.

Dr. Balin’s expertise in neuropathology and infectious disease research and Dr. Muniz-Terrera’s work in aging and biostatistics offer a comprehensive look at how these factors may contribute to neurodegeneration. Their findings reinforce osteopathic principles, emphasizing whole-body health and
addressing root causes rather than just symptoms. 

Leading the Charge in Neurodegenerative Research 

Dr. Balin has dedicated his career to understanding neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, and the factors that contribute to their onset and progression. As Professor of Neuroscience and Neuropathology and Director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), Dr. Balin teaches and engages with students through lectures, case presentations, and laboratory sessions on topics such as neuroanatomy, neuropathology, neurodegeneration, general pathology, and the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and infectious disease.

His work challenges conventional approaches to diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s, offering fresh perspectives that could transform patient care. By identifying a strong correlation between infections, specifically Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Alzheimer’s, he has demonstrated how pathogens can trigger neuroinflammation, beta-amyloid accumulation, and neurodegeneration.

These findings have inspired new approaches for diagnosing, preventing, and potentially treating Alzheimer’s, shifting the paradigm from a purely genetic and lifestyle-driven model to one that includes infectious disease as a contributing factor. This groundbreaking research highlights the critical
intersection of osteopathic principles and cutting-edge science, emphasizing a whole-body approach to disease prevention and management.

A Collaborative Approach to Brain Health

An expert in biostatistics and dementia research, Dr. Muniz-Terrera has previously held senior positions at the University of Edinburgh, where she led efforts in the European Prevention of Alzheimer’s Dementia (EPAD) study. Her research focuses on:

• Long-term trends in brain health and cognitive aging.
• Epidemiological factors influencing Alzheimer’s risk over a lifetime.
• The intersection of social, lifestyle, and biological determinants of neurodegeneration.

Dr. Muniz-Terrera’s work complements Dr. Balin’s research by offering a broader view of how external factors impact cognitive decline. This reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach to Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment.

Far-Reaching Impacts on Aging and Disease

Dr. Balin’s work presents a transformative shift in how Alzheimer’s is understood, with potential impacts extending to other aging-related diseases, including: 

• New prevention and treatment frameworks targeting infections and neuroinflammation rather than focusing solely on genetic risk factors.
• Potential applications for addressing other agingrelated health challenges, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders commonly linked to chronic inflammation.
• An integrative approach that aligns with osteopathic medicine’s focus on whole-body health, urging physicians to consider infection a key risk factor for cognitive decline.

His research challenges osteopathic physicians to take a more comprehensive approach to Alzheimer’s risk assessment, integrating scientific advancements with holistic patient care to develop more effective treatment and prevention strategies.