Neuroinflammation and the genetics of Alzheimer's disease: The search for a pro-inflammatory phenotype

The role of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and in terleukin 6 (IL-6) in the pathogene sis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reviewed within the framework of "inflam m-aging", i.e., the characteristic chronic pro-inflammmatory status which d evelops in old age, and neuroinflammation, i.e., the peculiar inflammatory process which is present in the brain of AD patients. In particular, the da ta suggesting that several IL-1 and IL-6 gene polymorphisms can contribute to the risk of developing AD are reviewed. The possibility as well as the d ifficulty in identifying a pro-inflammmatory phenotype, and its importance for the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of AD and other age-related patho logies are discussed. (C) 2001, Editrice Kurtis.