24S-Hydroxycholesterol Is Associated with Agitation Severity in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alzheimer's Disease: Analyses from a Clinical Trial with Nabilone.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Agitation is a prevalent and difficult-to-treat symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been a target of interest for the treatment of agitation. However, ECS signaling may interact with AD-related changes in brain cholesterol metabolism. Elevated brain cholesterol, reflected by reduced serum 24-S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC), is associated with reduced membrane fluidity, preventing ligand binding to cannabinoid receptor 1.

Objective

To assess whether 24S-OHC was associated with agitation severity and response to nabilone.

Methods

24S-OHC was collected from AD patients enrolled in a clinical trial on nabilone at the start and end of each phase. This allowed for the cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation between 24S-

SUBMITTER: Ruthirakuhan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6839471 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature