Rate of cognitive decline in AD is accelerated by the interleukin-1 alpha-889*1 allele

The reason for differences in rate of cognitive decline in AD is unknown. T he interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) -889 *2 allele is associated with incre ased risk for AD. Surprisingly, in a sample of 114 patients followed for an average of 3.8 years, individuals homozygous for the IL-1 alpha -889 *1 al lele declined significantly more rapidly on the Mini-Mental State Examinati on than did others. There was no difference in rate of decline between pati ents with and without the APOE is an element of4 allele. These results supp ort the hypothesis that inflammation is important in the clinical course of AD.