New research raises the possibility of a link between Alzheimer's disease and the skin disorder rosacea.

Published in the Annals of Neurology, researchers concluded the link could affect as many as 16 million Americans, leaving them with some level of the progressive brain disorder that greatly diminishes one's memory.

To date, age has been found to be the top determinant for Alzheimer's.

Rosacea Caused by Excessive Levels of Proteins

Rosacea sufferers typically experience small, red, pus-filled bumps on their skin. Researchers have previously determined that it is the result of excessive levels of proteins that have also been found in Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers.

In conducting their research, a team led by Dr. Alexander Egeberg of the University of Copenhagen poured through data collected from more than 5 million Danish citizens over a 15-year period beginning in 1997.

Of this sample, more than 82,000 had rosacea. At the end of following all the subjects, researchers found 99,040 developed dementia and another 29,193 were ultimately diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

"A subtype of patients have prominent neurological symptoms such as burning and stinging pain in the skin, migraines, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, suggesting a link between rosacea and neurological diseases," Egeberg said. "Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that rosacea may be linked with neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease and now also Alzheimer's disease."

More than 5 Million Alzheimer's Sufferers

Additional research also found that those who suffered from rosacea had a 7 percent greater chance of developing dementia and a 25 percent increased risk of Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's disease afflicts more than five million Americans and usually involves a decline in other cognitive abilities. It can also trigger mood changes, agitation, social withdrawal, feelings of confusion and can even affect or slow a person's gait.

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