Of note, a growing body of research supports a critical role for the NLRP3 inflammasome complex in the neuroinflammation observed in AD (Alzheimer’s disease), because its activation in microglia triggers the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-18 and Il-1β by activating cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteinase 1 (cleaved caspase-1), which ultimately exacerbates the pathological progression of AD and induces synaptic loss, neuronal necrosis, and apoptosis. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is Alzheimer disease.