Relationships between inflammatory cytokines, neurodegenerative biomarkers, clinical progression and systemic infection in patients with Alzheimer's disease

We show that blood inflammatory cytokines are elevated in AD, correlate with NfL plasma levels and cognitive performance, and are influenced by urinary tract infections. AD patients with chronic UTIs have elevated levels of GFAP and IL-17A and progress faster than those with no history of UTIs. Recent AD mouse models support the mechanistic link between IL-17A accumulation, cognitive deficits and neurodegeneration. These findings highlight systemic infection as an important contributor to dementia, requiring early identification and treatment in this vulnerable population.