Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Detection of Neuritic Plaques in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model
Published on: July 26, 2011
Plasma cholesterol and risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease
Angel Cedazo-Mínguez1, Muhammad-Al-Mustafa Ismail, Laura Mateos
1Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet-Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, NOVUM, 5th floor, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden. angel.cedazo-mínguez@ki.se
Abstract:
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. AD has a multifactorial origin, resulting from an interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental risk factors. Genetic, epidemiological, experimental and clinical data strongly suggest that the metabolism of cholesterol has an important role in AD pathogenesis. Several studies have demonstrated that high concentrations of serum cholesterol increase the risk of AD. Statins, drugs that reduce cholesterol levels, have been investigated as a possible treatment for AD. However, the literature is not exempt of contradictory results. In this article, we review a recent article by Reitz et al. demonstrating that higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with lower risk of AD. In addition, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the relationship between plasma cholesterol and AD, stressing the need for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind this association.
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
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...
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

