The p65 subunit of the transcription factor NF-κB, which controls the transcription of many acute-phase proteins and inflammatory genes [29], was analyzed, showing decreased expression in subjects with MDD (Fig. 4c), both in AD-free (− 46%) and AD-treated (− 38%) groups at time of death (Fig. 4d). This evidence concerns the gene NFKB1 and Alzheimer disease.