Sterol imbalances and cholesterol-24-hydroxylase dysregulation is linked to the underlying progression of multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Disability worsening in multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to neurodegeneration. Cholesterol homeostasis is essential for normal brain function. CYP46A1, crucial for brain cholesterol turnover and reduced in some neurodegenerative diseases, is a potential neuroprotective target. We hypothesized that CYP46A1 is downregulated in MS brains and linked to cholesterol dysbalance. Mass spectrometric analysis of sterols was performed from matched plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in an all-female MS cohort (n = 32, mean age = 33). Disability status was recorded at baseline and follow-up. MS brain tissue samples (n = 11; 7 females; ages 38-67; 10 Secondary Progressive MS, 1 Primary Progressive MS; Disease Duration: 13-49 years) and control samples (n = 8; 3 females; ages 41-68) analysed for patho

SUBMITTER: Griffiths L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12352928 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature