Heneka et al. demonstrate that NLRP3−/− or Casp1−/− mice carrying mutations associated with familial AD are largely protected from loss of spatial memory and other sequelae associated with AD and demonstrated reduced brain caspase-1 and IL-1β activation as well as enhanced Aβ clearance (Heneka et al., 2013). Here, NLRP3 is linked to Alzheimer disease.