title: Impaired regulation of immune responses in cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease: lessons from genetic association studies.
abstract: Altered levels of cytokines and acute-phase proteins have been described in the blood and brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Microglia are resident cells of the brain and metabolic upregulation of these cells may play a crucial role in the development of the neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease. Studies focusing on gene polymorphisms of molecules with immune regulatory function have demonstrated an association with increased risk of the disease and confirmed the pivotal role of immune responses in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Several gene variants may also influence the rate of the cognitive decline associated with the disease. A definite immune-related gene polymorphism profile may be a feature of a limited group of patients with early onset of the disease and fast clinical deterioration. Only this group of patients may benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Bologna, Department of Experimental Pathology, School of Medicine, Via S. Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy. martinachiappelli@libero.it
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiappelli
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tumini
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Porcellini
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Licastro
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D007155:Immunologic Factors