PLASMA-LIPIDS AND CHOLESTEROL ESTERIFICATION IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

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 at, Clin. Chim. Acta, 132(1983) 133). The fractional rate of cholesterol esterification (% cholesterol esterifed 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.