inflammation | The Memories Project

Tag Archives: inflammation

April 12, 2026 · 10:00 am

New study sheds more light on inflammation as potential cause of Alzheimer’s

Does Alzheimer’s actually originate outside of the brain? New research identifies the cells that are potential drivers and which organs are most likely to be involved. The latest genetic data analysis supports a growing body of research suggesting inflammation plays a role in Alzheimer’s development.

I’ve covered the inflammation theory before on this blog. With the success of GLP-1s for weight loss and management, the drugs show promise to treat other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes. While the early trials for those with early Alzheimer’s failed to slow disease progression, the medications may still hold promise for treating inflammation-related diseases before an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is made. I’ve also written about the connection between heart disease and dementia.

As earth.com explains, the research team at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research in Denmark wanted to detect “where in the body are the genes associated with Alzheimer’s risk actually active.” The surprising discovery is that Alzheimer’s risk genes showed higher activity in organs outside the brain, such as the “skin, lungs, digestive system, spleen and in immune cells circulating in the blood.” What this could mean is that someone at greater genetic risk for Alzheimer’s could experience an inflammatory condition that create damage that later leads to cognitive decline.

While these preliminary findings are supported by earlier research into the inflammatory link to dementia, more research needs to be done to confirm these findings and understand the underlying mechanism. As the earth.com article notes, we may have focused too much on treatments targeting the brain, which may be why most current treatments only show minimal benefits.

Ages 55–60 were identified by researchers as a “critical window for immune activation tied to Alzheimer’s risk.” It’s important for those in their fifties, like myself, to focus on addressing any inflammatory conditions and consider preventative options as warranted.

While a cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer’s remains elusive, expanding focus beyond the brain is a promising research path.

New study on family caregiving yields suprising finding

Pixabay

As a journalist, I am inundated with dozens of reports on new medical studies weekly. The number has only increased during the coronavirus pandemic. One caught my eye this week, because I saw outlets running cheery headlines that set off my BS detector.

One headline example: “Long thought to be damagingly stressful, family caregiving does no harm”

That is quite a proclamation! It is certainly news to the thousands of us who have been family caregivers and experienced mental, emotional, and physical side effects. As with most such overly optimistic headlines, I go to the originating source. In this case, it’s a Johns Hopkins study, Transition to Family Caregiving, which found that “caregivers didn’t have significantly greater inflammation over a nine-year period.”

Certainly this is a significant finding, and it is good news that family caregiving may not have long-term physical effects. My concern is the way such studies are promoted across social media, which could cause family caregivers who are struggling to doubt their own experiences.

Let me be clear that caregivers should always listen to their own body, no matter what a study proclaims. Family caregivers may experience a range of emotional, mental and physical side effects attributed to caregiving. This can include anxiety, anger, depression, burnout, insomnia and appetite issues, just to name several common ailments. While these periods of stress may not trigger a response that show up in an inflammation study, it doesn’t mean that your symptoms are not real.

Bottom line, studies are useful but you know your own body better than any researcher. Don’t let rosy headlines discourage you from seeking help if you are feeling overwhelmed by the duties of family caregiving.

That being said, for those who are anxious about the long-lasting impact of family caregiving on their health, this study may help ease worries. I have found that being a family caregiver can strengthen one’s resiliency, which is a positive in these challenging times.