- Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is an essential part of the membranes of all cells.
- It is produced by the body, primarily in the liver, but people also consume it in their diet.
- A new review has found four molecular mechanisms by which cholesterol imbalances, particularly in the brain, may lead to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
- The review suggests that managing cholesterol could help reduce the risk of these diseases.
Cholesterol is a fatty or waxyTrusted Source molecule that has several functions in the human body. It is essential inTrusted Source the structure of cell membranes, and for making steroid hormones, bile acids and vitamin D.
Cholesterol is particularly important in the brain for the formation and functioning of nerve cells.
The two main types of cholesterol are low-density lipoproteins (LDLs, or “bad cholesterol”), which collect in the walls of blood vessels, and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs, or “good cholesterol”), which move LDLs out of the bloodstream.
StudiesTrusted Source suggest that a higher level of HDL may be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, while high LDL increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Now, a new review of the existing research has laid out the molecular mechanisms that may link cholesterol imbalances with neurodegenerative diseasesTrusted Source. The researchers suggest that by managing cholesterol levels, people could potentially reduce their risk of developing diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
The review appears in Experimental and Molecular MedicineTrusted Source.
David Gill, MD, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and of the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, who was not involved in this research, commented on the review for Medical News Today, commenting that:
“The article describes a number of ways that cholesterol is involved in how the brain functions, including helping brain cells communicate […], stabilizing the membrane of the brain cell, regulating production of a protein called beta Amyloid, and playing a role in how a protein called Tau clumps together.”
A recent LancetTrusted Source commission review listed high LDL cholesterol after the age of 40 as one of 14 modifiable factors that increase the risk of dementia, the most common neurodegenerative disease.
This latest review adds to this by identifying four molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration that are linked to cholesterol imbalances.
The first is synaptic dysfunction. SynapsesTrusted Source are the connections between nerve cells, and their function relies on cholesterol in the plasma membrane.
Lack of cholesterol in the plasma membrane can interrupt the passage of impulses between nerve cells, leading to the declines in cognitive and motor function seen in neurodegenerative diseases.
The second mechanism is linked to cell membrane structure and protein clustering. Cholesterol deficiency in nerve cells causes defects in the cell membranes which can lead to neurodegeneration.
The third is related to oligomers of beta-amyloidTrusted Source protein. Imbalance of cholesterol influences the clumping and misfolding of proteins, such as amyloid precursor protein (APP). High cholesterol levels speed up the formation of beta-amyloid from APP, making beta-amyloid plaques that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, there is, alpha-synucleinTrusted Source aggregation: Cholesterol accelerates the aggregation of alpha-synuclein and formation of Lewy bodiesTrusted Source, the main causes of neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease.
Your blog is a testament to your passion for your subject matter. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s clear that you put your heart and soul into every post. Keep up the fantastic work!
BaddieHub very informative articles or reviews at this time.