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Neighborhood Disadvantage Tied to Higher Alzheimer’s and Inflammation Biomarkers

Socioeconomic stress appears to accelerate inflammation, promoting tau buildup in older adults

Researchers also found participants had elevated levels of chitinase-3-like protein 1, called YKL-40, a biomarker of brain inflammation, in their spinal fluid. Credit: Neuroscience News

Overview

  • Study published June 25 in Neurology links greater neighborhood disadvantage to elevated tau and YKL-40 levels among 334 participants over nine years.
  • Each 10-percentile rise in neighborhood disadvantage corresponded to a 0.05 mg/L annual increase in blood CRP, a key inflammation marker.
  • Participants underwent serial blood tests, brain scans and cerebrospinal fluid sampling at six intervals from baseline to nine years.
  • Researchers suggest that healthcare providers consider neighborhood factors when designing inflammation-reducing interventions such as stress management and exercise.
  • Most study participants were white, well-educated and from relatively less disadvantaged areas, limiting applicability to broader populations.