Mold exposure can be dangerous for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease due to the potential for mold to trigger or worsen neuroinflammation, which is a key factor in Alzheimer’s progression. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, along with neuronal cell death and chronic neuroinflammation. Microglia, the brain’s immune cells, play a critical role in this neuroinflammatory process by interacting with amyloid plaques and releasing inflammatory cytokines that can exacerbate brain damage[2].
Mold produces spores and mycotoxins that, when inhaled or otherwise introduced into the body, can provoke immune responses. In healthy individuals, the immune system, including neutrophils and other innate immune cells, works to clear mold spores effectively. However, in people with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions, mold spores can evade immune defenses and cause systemic inflammation[1]. This immune activation is not limited to the lungs but can affect other organs, including the brain.
For people with Alzheimer’s disease, whose brains are already vulnerable due to ongoing neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation, exposure to mold and its toxins may worsen cognitive decline. Mold-related inflammation can increase the production of inflammatory cytokines in the brain, potentially accelerating the neurodegenerative processes seen in AD. This is supported by research showing that neuroinflammation is a major driver of Alzheimer’s pathology, with microglia becoming less effective at clearing amyloid beta and instead contributing to a harmful inflammatory environment[2].
Moreover, some clinical observations and patient reports link environmental factors such as mold exposure to symptoms commonly seen in Alzheimer’s patients, including anxiety, insomnia, and disorientation. These symptoms overlap with those observed in individuals exposed to mold or environmental toxins, suggesting a possible connection between mold exposure and worsening cognitive or behavioral symptoms in AD[4].
It is important to note that Alzheimer’s disease is complex and multifactorial. While amyloid beta plaques have been a traditional focus of research, recent insights emphasize that amyloid accumulation is more likely a consequence of underlying brain stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction rather than the primary cause of the disease[3]. Mold exposure, by contributing to systemic and brain inflammation, fits into this broader understanding of Alzheimer’s as a disease influenced by environmental and immune factors.
In terms of immune response, the body produces factors like granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to help fight mold infections, especially in the lungs. GM-CSF enhances the ability of neutrophils to clear mold spores, which is crucial for preventing invasive mold infections in immunocompromised individuals[1]. However, in Alzheimer’s patients, immune system dysregulation may impair these protective responses, potentially allowing mold-related inflammation to persist or worsen.
Given these points, mold exposure can be considered a risk factor that may exacerbate Alzheimer’s disease progression through its effects on neuroinflammation and immune system activation. Preventing mold exposure and managing indoor air quality could be important for reducing additional inflammatory stress on the brain in people with Alzheimer’s or those at risk for cognitive decline.
Sources:
[1] Lazarus H.M. et al., “How our Bodies fight mold in lungs: a key to new therapies,” Drug Discovery News, 2021
[2] Becerra-Calixto A. et al., “A neuroimmune cerebral assembloid model to study the inflammatory phenotype and amyloid pathology in Alzheimer’s disease,” PMC, 2025
[3] The Carroll Institute, “Why Isn’t There an Effective Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease?” 2025
[4] The Carroll Institute, “The Six Types of Alzheimer’s Identified by the ReCODE,” 2025
