1 Department of Neurology/Neuroscience Institute, Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China 
2 Institute of Health Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China

Abstract 

Inflammation has been shown to play an important role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent epidemical study indicates that the incidence of AD in some populations is substantially influenced by the gene polymorphisms of the inflammation mediators. Meanwhile, an ensured risk factor, the ApoE ε4 allele is also reported to directly promote inflammation. Accordingly, it appears that an individual genetic background has partly determined his predisposition for AD by the extent of the inflammation response to the chronic stimulus by β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) deposits and other antigen stressor in the elderly. Hence we present a hypothesis that the inflammation genotypes may contribute to AD susceptibility. This may provide a new orientation both for future identification of individuals at risk and for personalized medication.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s disease; inflammation; predisposition; polymorphism; inflammation mediators; ApoE e4 allele; identification; personalized medication

[SpringerLink]