A common infection may trigger Alzheimers disease or at least hasten its progress, according to new research presented at the 8th International Conference on Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders in Sweden. In the study, mice exposed to Chlamydia pneumoniae developed amyloid plaques in their brains like those seen in Alzheimers disease. The bacterium has also been found in the brains of 90 percent of people suffering from the mind-stealing disease. C. pneumoniae is a common pathogen that causes pneumonia and bronchitis and has also been associated with atherosclerosis.