Link found between chronic inflammation and Alzheimer's gene risk

Data from the Framingham Heart Study has found carriers of the ApoE4 gene were much more likely to develop Alzheimer’s if they also had chronic low-grade inflammation. Indeed, the researchers suggest that, in the absence of inflammation, there might be no difference of Alzheimer's risk between ApoE4 and non-ApoE4 carriers.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/buso-lfb101818.php

Mid- to late-life increases in chronic inflammation age brain

Data from 1,532 participants in a long-running study, in which participants were tested five times every 3 years (on average), found that those who showed increasing inflammation had greater abnormalities in the brain's white matter structure.

90 people transitioned from low to persistently elevated C-reactive protein during midlife, indicating increasing inflammation. Their brains appear similar to that of a person 16 years older, researchers estimate.

Common causes of chronic inflammation include cardiovascular disease, heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure and infections such as hepatitis C or HIV.

61% of participants were women, and 28% were African-American. At the final visit, participants were an average age of 76.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/jhm-mtl070218.php