Abstract
Cholesterol is highly enriched in the brain compared to other tissues. Essentially all cholesterol in the brain is synthesized endogenously since plasma lipoproteins are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. Cholesterol is transported within the central nervous system in the form of apolipoprotein E-containing lipoprotein particles that are secreted mainly by glial cells. Cholesterol is excreted from the brain in the form of 24-hydroxycholesterol. Apolipoprotein E and cholesterol have been implicated in the formation of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the progressive neurodegenerative disorder Niemann-Pick C disease is characterized by defects in intracellular trafficking of cholesterol.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
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Alzheimer Disease / therapy
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Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
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Apolipoproteins E / metabolism
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Brain / metabolism
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Carrier Proteins / chemistry
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Carrier Proteins / physiology
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Cholesterol / metabolism*
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Glycoproteins / chemistry
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Glycoproteins / physiology
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Homeostasis / physiology*
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Humans
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Lipoproteins / metabolism
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Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry
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Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
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Neuroglia / metabolism*
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Niemann-Pick C1 Protein
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Niemann-Pick Diseases / metabolism
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Vesicular Transport Proteins
Substances
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Amyloid beta-Peptides
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Apolipoproteins E
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Carrier Proteins
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Glycoproteins
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Lipoproteins
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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NPC1 protein, human
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NPC2 protein, human
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Niemann-Pick C1 Protein
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Vesicular Transport Proteins
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Cholesterol