Abstract: The use of markers that participate in inflammatory processes and are associated cytokines in the diagnosis, treatment or prophylaxis of diseases is disclosed. Specifically, cytokines are used to diagnose or treat non-neoplastic or non-leukaemic diseases such as autoimmune diseases or neurodegenerative disorders by the process of taking a DNA bearing sample from a subject animal and analysing the sample to determine the allelic variants present at one or more of the SNP loci at positions ?1082, ?819 and ?592 of the gene encoding IL-10. A method of treating Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune diseases or other neurodegenerative disorders is disclosed by modulating, that is augmenting or decreasing, the function of a gene having one of the allelic polymorphisms of IL-10. IL-6 inhibitors and IL-10 promoters can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of prophylaxis of Alzheimer's disease.