Link between heart disease, cholesterol, and Alzheimer's disease: a review.

Abstract

Increased prevalence of Alzheimer's disease-like beta-amyloid deposits in the neuropil and within neurons occurs in the brains of non-demented individuals with heart disease. Heart disease is a prevalent finding in Alzheimer's disease, and may be a forerunner to the dementing disorder. In the cholesterol-fed rabbit model of human coronary heart disease there is production and accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain. This accumulation of beta-amyloid can be reversed by removing cholesterol from the rabbits' diet. In culture cells, a cholesterol challenge has been shown to increase production of beta-amyloid, and dramatic reductions of cholesterol produced by HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors decrease production of beta-amyloid. Increased beta-amyloid production is also produced by dietary cholesterol in a number of transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Administration of HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors may block beta-amyloid production caused by dietary cholesterol in rabbits. Clinical trials testing the benefit of HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are underway.

• Authors: D L Sparks, T A Martin, D R Gross, J C Hunsaker 3rd
• Journal: Microscopy research and technique (Microsc Res Tech) Vol. 50 Issue 4 Pg. 287-90 (Aug 15 2000) ISSN: 1059-910X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10936882 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Amyloid beta-Peptides
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Alzheimer Disease (metabolism, pathology)
• Amyloid beta-Peptides (metabolism)
• Animals
• Cholesterol (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Heart Diseases (metabolism, pathology)
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Hypertension (metabolism, pathology)
• Plaque, Amyloid (metabolism, pathology)