Dementia and 24S-hydroxycholesterol link examined

The link between neurological disorders and 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OH-Chol) has been examined by experts using high-speed liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

A study published in BMC Neurology 2011 used high-speed liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to evaluated the plasma levels of 24S-OH-Chol in a sample of 160 older individuals.

Of these, 60 of had late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) 35 had vascular dementia (VD), 25 were affected by cognitive impairment no-dementia (CIND) and 40 were controls.

The expert also investigated the association between PPARgamma Pro12Ala polymorphism and dementia or 24S-OH-Chol levels and found that, compared with Controls, plasma 24S-OH-Chol levels were higher in LOAD and lower in VD; while a slight not-significant increase in CIND was observed.

The scientists concluded that the increase in plasma 24S-OH-Chol levels might be related with systemic inflammation and the finding of lower 24S-OH-Chol concentrations in VD might be related with a more advanced stage of VD compared with LOAD in the sample and evolution of these forms of dementia.