Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
Published on: December 2, 2015
Elevated total cholesterol in severely depressed patients: role in cardiovascular risk?
Partha Pratim Das1, Savita Malhotra, Subho Chakrabarti
1Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India. drparthapratimdas@yahoo.com
Background:
Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membrane constituting the neuronal cells and mediates multiple functions affecting neuronal transmission in the central nervous system. Abnormalities in serum lipid fractions have been reported in depression, but the clinical and biological significance of such findings are yet to be elucidated.
Aims And Objective:
To study the abnormalities of lipid fractions in subjects with unipolar depression.
Methodology:
Thirty patients with unipolar depression and normal controls were recruited in this study. Serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides were studied. Data analysis was performed by using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) controlling for age, sex, body mass index, lifestyle, and dietary habits.
Results:
The data showed significant elevation of serum total cholesterol in depressed patients compared with normal controls. Identical results were obtained after controlling for the effects of confounders.
Conclusion:
Results of this study point to particular subgroup of subjects who have elevated cholesterol among the depressed cohort. This may have significant implications in risk assessment for cardiovascular disorders and planning preventive strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents