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HDL from an Alzheimer's disease perspective
Emily B Button1,2, Jérôme Robert1,2, Tara M Caffrey1,2
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
Current Opinion in Lipidology
|April 5, 2019
Summary
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) shows promise in Alzheimer's disease research. Its functions, not just levels, may protect against cognitive decline and neuroinflammation, offering potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves complex vascular contributions.
- Epidemiological studies link high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels to reduced AD risk.
- Emerging research suggests HDL's functional properties are more critical than mere cholesterol levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on HDL and Alzheimer's disease.
- To focus on HDL's vasoprotective functions.
- To explore HDL's potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for vascular aspects of AD.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies.
- Analysis of animal model data.
- Evaluation of in-vitro studies using 3D human blood-brain barrier models.
Main Results:
- HDL protects against memory deficits, neuroinflammation, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy in animal models.
- In-vitro studies confirm HDL reduces vascular amyloid-beta accumulation and attenuates inflammation.
- HDL formulations are in clinical trials for cardiovascular diseases, suggesting therapeutic potential for AD.
Conclusions:
- HDL's protective role against cerebrovascular dysfunction in AD is supported by human, animal, and bioengineered artery studies.
- Assays of HDL functions could serve as biomarkers for cerebrovascular health in AD.
- HDL-based therapeutics present a promising avenue for AD treatment, potentially in combination therapies.