Cholesterol, statins and dementia : Current Opinion in Lipidology (original) (raw)
Therapy and clinical trials
Department of Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, L-603, Boston, MA 02118-2526, USA
Correspondence to Professor B. Wolozin, Department of Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, L-603, Boston, MA 02118-2526, USA Tel: +1 617 414 2652; fax: +1 617 414 2651; e-mail: [email protected]
Abbreviations
ACAT: acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase
APP: amyloid precursor protein
HDL: high-density lipoprotein
LRP: low-density lipoprotein-related receptor protein
LXR: liver X receptor
Abstract
Purpose of review
Advances in cholesterol biology suggest that cholesterol metabolism modulates β-amyloid production, and that pharmaceuticals that inhibit cholesterol metabolism might be valuable in therapy of Alzheimer's disease. Although the genetics and cell biology continue to support the link between cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease, recent clinical studies suggest that the animal studies might not directly translate to clinical studies in humans.
Recent findings
This review will highlight advances in genetics, cell biology and clinical sciences investigating the relationship between cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease.
Summary
Cholesterol, its catabolites and proteins that regulate cholesterol levels all modulate processing of amyloid precursor protein. Statins hold promise in therapy of Alzheimer's disease, but the current data are more consistent with a model of statins that act as neuroprotective agents rather than inhibitors of β-amyloid production.
© 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.