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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Lipids01:32

Membrane Lipids

Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
Membrane Lipids01:32

Membrane Lipids

Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
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Glial Cells

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Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
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What are Lipids?01:31

What are Lipids?

Lipids function as structural components of cellular membranes, in addition to acting as energy reservoirs and signaling molecules. They are thus crucial to all living organisms.  The three biologically important classes of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.
Non-Polar and Hydrophobic Characteristics of Lipids
Lipids are a structurally and functionally diverse group of hydrocarbons—compounds consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds...

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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions
08:00

Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions

Published on: June 4, 2020

Sterols in the central nervous system.

Monique Mulder1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Division of Pharmacology, Vascular and Metabolic diseases, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.t.mulder@erasmusmc.nl

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
|February 10, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Cerebral cholesterol homeostasis is crucial for neurological health and Alzheimer's disease. Astrocytes supply neurons with cholesterol, with 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol potentially regulating this vital process.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cerebral cholesterol homeostasis is critical for neurological function and implicated in Alzheimer's disease.
  • While peripheral cholesterol metabolism proteins are found in the brain, cerebral metabolism operates distinctly.
  • This review focuses on the regulation of brain cholesterol and its transport between astrocytes and neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of cerebral cholesterol homeostasis regulation.
  • To highlight cholesterol trafficking mechanisms between astrocytes and neurons.
  • To explore the implications for neurodegenerative diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on cerebral cholesterol metabolism.
  • Analysis of astrocyte-neuron cholesterol transport pathways.
  • Examination of the role of 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol.

Main Results:

  • Astrocytes are primary cholesterol synthesis sites, secreting it via apolipoprotein E-containing particles.
  • Neurons decrease synthesis postnatally, relying on astrocytes for cholesterol.
  • The brain-specific metabolite 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol may regulate neuronal cholesterol supply.
  • Brain cholesterol metabolism is linked to synaptic plasticity and regeneration, processes affected in Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding cerebral cholesterol regulation offers therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Modulating key steps in cholesterol homeostasis may prevent or treat conditions like Alzheimer's disease.