Correlation Games

Cognitive function and oral perception in independently-living octogenarians

In this study, researchers hypothesized that the decline of cognitive impairment is involved in oral perceptions since its preclinical stage. The aim of this study was to examine association of cognitive function with tactile and taste perceptions in independently-living 80 years-old elderly.
...The OSA score was positively associated with number of teeth. On the other hand, taste thresholds of sour, salty and bitter were significantly lower in female than males. The multiple regression analysis showed that MoCA-J score had significant positive relations to both the OSA score and taste perceptions except for sweet after controlling for other variables.
These results suggest that the decline of cognitive function was related to tactile and taste perceptions in independently-living octogenarians without dementia.

Um, maybe it works the other way... maybe mouth dysfunction impairs the brain?   Maybe one infection affects them both?   Just sayin,  maybe...