Immunological functioning in Alzheimer's disease: Differential effects of relative left versus right temporoparietal dysfunction

•Asymmetry exists in cerebral regulation of immunological functioning.•Alzheimer’s disease is often asymmetrical in the neuropathological processes.•Alzheimer’s disease is associated with immunological dysfunction.•Left/right temporoparietal influences on immunological functioning were examined.•Right temporoparietal functioning is related to reduced immunological parameters.

The cerebral hemispheres are differentially involved in regulating immunological functioning and the neuropathology associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is asymmetrical. Thus, subgroups of AD patients may exhibit different patterns of immunological dysfunction. We explored this possibility in a group of AD patients and found that patients with low white blood cell counts and low lymphocyte numbers exhibited better performance on tests of right temporoparietal functioning. Also, a significant positive relationship exists between lymph numbers and performance on a test of left temporoparietal functioning. Thus, some AD patients have greater immunological dysfunction based on relative left versus right temporoparietal functioning.