Can lowering cholesterol reduce Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s risk?

• 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 waxy molecule that has several functions in the human body. It is essential in 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.

Studies 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 diseases. 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 Medicine.

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…