Connect with others who understand.

Sign up Log in
Resources
About MyPsoriasisTeam
Powered By
See answer
PSORIASIS
NEWS

Psoriasis and Alzheimer’s Disease Are Linked By Chronic Inflammation and Genetics

Medically reviewed by Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A.
Written by Emily Wagner, M.S.
Posted on December 30, 2021

  • A recent review of several existing studies highlights how inflammation is related to both Alzheimer’s disease and skin diseases, like psoriasis.
  • Inflammation caused by shared cytokines — such as TNF-alpha — is involved in both diseases, possibly linking them to each other.
  • People with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing dementia, and vice versa, but researchers noted there is no precise correlation.

A recent review of existing studies highlights the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and skin diseases — including psoriasis, skin cancer, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Researchers found that inflammation acts as a driver in all of these diseases, connecting them.

Dementia is a neurological disorder that affects 50 million people worldwide, particularly people of older age. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common subtype of dementia, accounting for about 44 percent of all cases.

Several studies have investigated the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and skin diseases. The authors of this review set out to summarize the findings so that neurologists and dermatologists are fully informed.

Inflammation as a Driver of Alzheimer’s Disease and Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes scaly plaques to form. It affects 125 million people around the world — and 8 million people in the United States alone. While the main effects of the disease appear on the skin, psoriasis is also associated with other complications, such as mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, and other immunological diseases.

The connection between dementia and psoriasis has been previously studied, and while the exact link is not known, researchers believe inflammation is to blame. In psoriasis, inflammatory mediators known as cytokines are responsible for activating the immune system. Some of these cytokines are shared between psoriasis and Alzheimer’s disease, connecting them through inflammation.

One cytokine — tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) — is known to play a role in both diseases. Treating psoriasis with TNF inhibitors — biologics that block TNF-alpha — improves skin disease. These medications also improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, one study found that treating people with psoriasis with TNF-alpha blockers lowered their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who did not receive the treatment.

The Role of Genetics

Genetics may also play a role in the connection between the two diseases. One protein — apolipoprotein E (APOE) — is known to be strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease and can also be a risk factor for psoriasis.

APOE acts as a cholesterol carrier, which affects the formation of plaques that form on the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. A large study of people with psoriasis and those without found that certain versions of the APOE gene influence the risk of developing the skin disease. This connection potentially links the two diseases.

Risks of Developing Psoriasis and Alzheimer’s Disease

Research has found that people with psoriasis are 10 percent to 25 percent more likely to develop dementia. Researchers also have found that those with dementia have an increased risk of developing psoriasis. However, one study did find that having psoriasis protects against dementia.

The review authors also noted that studies have found that people with psoriasis are at a higher risk for developing issues concentrating, solving problems, and remembering information — all signs of early dementia. Although there is an increased risk of developing psoriasis and Alzheimer’s disease, the authors note that there is not an exact correlation. More research is needed to confirm this relationship.

Posted on December 30, 2021

A MyPsoriasisTeam Member

This is an interesting article, the more I read the more it becomes obvious that there is a connection between Psi and RA to so many different conditions its amazing.. It is also frightening that it… read more

February 20, 2023
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.

You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Privacy Policy
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Subscribe now to ask your question, get answers, and stay up to date on the latest articles.

Get updates directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Privacy Policy
Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A. is the clinical associate professor of medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about him here.
Emily Wagner, M.S. holds a Master of Science in biomedical sciences with a focus in pharmacology. She is passionate about immunology, cancer biology, and molecular biology. Learn more about her here.

Related Articles

If you’re living with the aches and pains of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you are not alone — and t...

3 Best Diets for Psoriatic Arthritis and 3 Diets To Avoid

If you’re living with the aches and pains of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you are not alone — and t...
Finding the right shampoo for scalp psoriasis can be hard. Any product you choose needs to manag...

Shampoo for Psoriasis: Finding the Best Shampoo That Works for You

Finding the right shampoo for scalp psoriasis can be hard. Any product you choose needs to manag...
If you’ve been researching ways to improve your psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis symptoms, you’re...

The Simplicity of the Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

If you’ve been researching ways to improve your psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis symptoms, you’re...
Figuring out what to eat when you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can feel like trying to solve a ...

Snacks for Psoriatic Arthritis: Ideas for Quick and Easy Bites

Figuring out what to eat when you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can feel like trying to solve a ...
If you live with psoriasis, you know how challenging it can be to manage the symptoms — itchy, fl...

GLP-1 Drugs for Psoriasis: Can They Help or Harm?

If you live with psoriasis, you know how challenging it can be to manage the symptoms — itchy, fl...
If you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and want to grow your family, you may wonder if it’s safe t...

Managing and Treating Psoriatic Arthritis During Pregnancy

If you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and want to grow your family, you may wonder if it’s safe t...

Recent Articles

A recent study found that nearly 1 in 3 people with psoriasis achieved clear or almost clear ski...

33% See Skin Clearance From At-Home Light Therapy

A recent study found that nearly 1 in 3 people with psoriasis achieved clear or almost clear ski...
Certain underlying health conditions are more common in people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) tha...

Comorbidities and Complications of Psoriatic Arthritis

Certain underlying health conditions are more common in people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) tha...
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex disease characterized by joint pain, tenderness, and swell...

8 Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis: What’s Best for You?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex disease characterized by joint pain, tenderness, and swell...
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the joints and skin that ...

6 Immunosuppressant Medication Types for Psoriatic Arthritis and How They Work

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the joints and skin that ...
For many people, injectable medications are a good option for treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA)....

Psoriatic Arthritis Injections: Names, How They Work, and More

For many people, injectable medications are a good option for treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA)....
It’s not always easy to find the motivation to eat a balanced diet and be physically active when ...

Psoriatic Arthritis and Weight: Can Joint Inflammation Cause Weight Gain?

It’s not always easy to find the motivation to eat a balanced diet and be physically active when ...
Translation missing: pst.site_noun_short News

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more: