Alzheimer’s Disease Might Begin Outside the Brain, 2026 Study Suggests

Alzheimer’s disease may initially be triggered by inflammation in skin, lungs, or the gut — not the brain.

César Cunha at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research in Denmark and his colleagues examined 1,000 genes with variants that increase the risk of the disease.

“I kept looking at [our findings] and it seemed wrong because the expression of these genes in single cells in the brain was extremely low,” Cunha told New Scientist.

“The more we looked at it, the more we realized they really weren’t in the brain, they were mostly in other parts of the body…You might get inflammation in your lungs from a viral infection when you’re 55, and that could translate to Alzheimer’s 30 years later. But we don’t know why yet, so there’s a very big piece in this whole puzzle that hasn’t been figured out.”

He added that the challenge now is to convince other neuroscientists to consider peripheral inflammation as a potential driver of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain.

SEE ALSO
• Sun Life Facing $500K LTD Lawsuit from Toronto Alzheimer’s Patient
• Health Canada Approves Drug Capable of Slowing Alzheimer’s Disease
• Canada Post Worker Denied LTD During Cancer Battle

Disability Benefits for Alzheimer’s in Canada

Alzheimer’s disease can have a profound impact on an individual’s ability to perform their job duties — even with appropriate treatment.

For Canadians who can’t work due to this debilitating condition, short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) benefits can provide a crucial financial lifeline.

How These Benefits Help

• STD: Provides temporary financial support for individuals unable to perform their job duties.
• LTD: Offers income replacement for individuals unable to return to work for an extended period of time.

To qualify for STD or LTD benefits, medical documentation is essential to demonstrate how your condition prevents you from working.

Sadly, insurance companies often deny legitimate LTD claims — including in cases involving Alzheimer’s disease — adding unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation.

SEE ALSO
• Medical Conditions that Qualify for Disability in Canada
• Denied LTD? Seek Legal Advice Before Appealing the Decision
• Pocket Disability Lawyer: Real-Time Insights on Your Rights

Disclaimer: The materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and DO NOT constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a legal representative at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.