[wahern]

Inflammation often is directly causative, for example atherosclerosis where the inflammatory response directly results in the buildup of plaques. Inflammation is not typically the root cause, however; something else instigates the inflammation.

The distinction matters because the best treatment (greatest efficacy, most cost efficient) may target one or more of the links in the causative chain, but not necessarily the root cause.

[thaumasiotes]

Fair enough. Treatment can attack any link in the chain.

Prevention can't, and to me Alzheimer's is something that should be prevented. But we work with what we have.