Mechanisms
Cholesterol esterification is 16% slower in Alzheimer's disease, echoing earlier findings in Down's syndrome (Mech Ageing Dev 1994)
Original title: Plasma lipids and cholesterol esterification in Alzheimer's disease
Eight Alzheimer's disease patients and eight age-matched controls were studied for parameters of plasma lipoprotein metabolism, building on prior work in Down's syndrome. The fractional rate of cholesterol esterification was 16% lower in the Alzheimer's group than in controls. Correlational analysis of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity and plasma lipids revealed further differences between the two groups, closely paralleling patterns previously seen in Down's syndrome patients. Combined with analysis of CETP levels in the same subjects, these findings suggest that reverse cholesterol transport in general, and CETP activity specifically, may be altered in Alzheimer's disease.
Original abstract
Eight patients and eight age matched controls were recruited to study parameters related to plasma lipoprotein metabolism in Alzheimer's disease based on previous studies in Down's syndrome (A.G. Lacko et al., Clin. Chim. Acta, 132 (1983) 133). The fractional rate of cholesterol esterification (% cholesterol esterified per hour) was 16% lower in the patient group compared with controls. Correlational analyses of lecithin/cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity and plasma lipids revealed additional differences between the Alzheimer's patients and control subjects. These data are strikingly similar to those obtained earlier with Down's syndrome patients. These data, combined with analyses of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) levels, suggest that reverse cholesterol transport in general and CETP activity in particular may be altered in Alzheimer's disease.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.