ApoB100/LDLR-/- Hypercholesterolaemic Mice as a Model for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Neuronal Damage
2011

Cholesterol and Cognitive Impairment in Mice

Sample size: 40 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Ramírez Carlos, Sierra Saleta Tercero, Inmaculada Vázquez, Jose Antonio Pineda, Antonia Manrique, Tatiana Burgos, Javier S.

Primary Institution: BioPharma Division, Neuron BPh, Granada, Spain

Hypothesis

Does hypercholesterolaemia facilitate the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease?

Conclusion

The study confirms that hypercholesterolaemia is a key biomarker for monitoring mild cognitive impairment and shows that transgenic mice can be used as a model for cognitive and psychomotor decline.

Supporting Evidence

  • Transgenic mice showed significantly higher plasma cholesterol levels than wild-type mice.
  • Hypercholesterolaemia was associated with cognitive and psychomotor impairments.
  • Neuritic dystrophy and oxidative damage were observed in the brains of transgenic mice.
  • Aged transgenic mice exhibited significant memory deficits compared to wild-type mice.
  • Cholesterol levels correlated with the severity of cognitive decline in the study.

Takeaway

Mice with high cholesterol levels had trouble remembering things and moving around, which might help us understand Alzheimer's disease better.

Methodology

The study involved monitoring plasma cholesterol levels, cognitive performance, locomotor activity, and neuropathological signs in transgenic mice at different ages.

Potential Biases

The authors are affiliated with NEURON BPh, which may introduce bias in the interpretation of results.

Limitations

The study did not account for potential pharmacological treatments or dietary influences on cholesterol levels.

Participant Demographics

Male homozygous apoB100/LDLR-/- transgenic mice and male wild-type C57Bl/6 mice were used.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022712

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