Inflammation in the Blood Shows Up as Damage in Brain Wiring

Based on: Plasma inflammatory markers and brain white matter microstructure in late middle-aged and older adults.

Moderate Evidence·Journal Article·Preprint·medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·Apr 2026

In late middle-aged and older adults, higher levels of inflammatory markers in blood were tied to subtle changes in white matter, the brain's wiring. People with more pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRP showed signs of disrupted neural fibers. The link held even after accounting for Alzheimer's biomarkers. This supports the idea that chronic inflammation quietly chips away at brain health.

Key Insight

This study suggests that managing chronic inflammation may matter for protecting the brain's wiring as we age.

Original Paper

Mishra S, Pettigrew C, Ugonna C, Chen NK, Frye JB, Doyle KP, Ryan L, Albert M, Ho SG, Moghekar A, Soldan A, Paitel ER

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences··457 dementia-free adults, average age 64

Related Studies

Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.