New research points to the importance of cholesterol in regulating the levels of key toxic proteins in Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid (Aβ) deposition is one of the hallmark features of the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

Previous studies have pointed out that cholesterol may play a role in the production of Aβ, but this effect has not been directly proven

They found that astrocytes in the brain can carry cholesterol through the apoE protein and transport it to the cell membrane of nerve cells

▲Illustration of the mechanism of astrocytes regulating Aβ production through cholesterol transport (picture source: reference [2])

Using a mouse model that mimics Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers found that if the production of cholesterol in the mouse’s astrocytes is inhibited, the mouse’s Aβ production will also be reduced to near normal levels, and the mouse brain’s Aβ The deposition almost completely disappeared

▲Clearing cholesterol in astrocytes leads to the disappearance of amyloid and phosphorylated tau in the brains of AD mouse models (Image source: CREDIT, Scott Hansen Lab, Scripps Research, Jupiter, Florida)

"Our results show that cholesterol is an important signal that determines the level of Aβ production in nerve cells

By confirming and clarifying the role of cholesterol produced by astrocytes in the production of Aβ, this study shows that targeting this process has the potential to prevent the progression of AD

Reference materials:

[1] Brain cholesterol regulates Alzheimer's plaques, study reveals.