When people think of cholesterol, usually there is a negative connotation associated with it. Cholesterol though also has its own benefits. A study has found that brain protein regulation is aided by cholesterol.
A study has been made that has shown that cholesterol can interfere with the functions of a brain member protein. This interference can act as a way to regulate activity of the adenosine receptor. This action has been seen to have the potential in aiding new treatment for Alzheimer's and dementia.
Jana Selent, head of the GPCR Drug Discovery research group has said that cholesterol is important for neuronal membranes. For those who have Alzheimer's, the level of cholesterol has been altered in neuronal membranes. The study has found that cholesterol has direct action on proteins in the neuronal membranes.
The study has shown that cholesterol can invade the area where adenosine receptors are. In Alzheimer's patients, a high level of cholesterol can block adenosine receptors. This could be the reason some symptoms of Alzheimer's can be seen, as explained by Ramon Guixa Gonzalez. He is the first author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics at the Charite Hospital in Berlin, according to the IMIM site.
He has said that further studies are needed to establish the relationship of cholesterol and brain protein regulation. The study could be used to create new treatment that could go inside to adenosine receptors in the same that cholesterol can, as Science Daily reports. Such treatment would then be able to modulate brain protein.
New research could also be made that can use cholesterol and GPCR. The study could also lead to treatment for other diseases that involve the central nervous system. There could be hope for better treatment for Alzheimer's then in the future.
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