Cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease research

Scientific research is investigating the biological links between cholesterol and the development of Alzheimer's disease. Initial studies involving mice from the Korea Brain Research Institute suggest that cholesterol may clog the glymphatic system, which is the brain's waste clearance mechanism responsible for flushing out toxic proteins like beta-amyloid and tau.

Subsequent findings have identified specific pathways for these effects. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, discovered that high dietary cholesterol can activate the Ral protein and the enzyme Cathepsin A, which reduces LDL receptors in the liver and hinders the clearance of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Furthermore, studies from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California indicate that cholesterol oxidation may cause the ABCA1 protein to become trapped in lysosomes. This process leads to cellular inflammation and aging, particularly in those with the APOE4 genetic risk factor. Testing on mice showed that the drug cyclodextrin could potentially mitigate this neuroinflammation by reducing oxidized cholesterol levels.