Findings that antioxidant treatment may be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease indicate that oxidative stress is an important factor in its pathogenesis. Studies have also suggested that cholesterol imbalance in the brain might be related to the development of neurological disorders. Previously, we have reported that U18666A, a cholesterol transport-inhibiting agent, leads to apoptosis and intracellular cholesterol accumulation in primary cortical neurons. In this study, we found that neuronal apoptosis mediated by U18666A is associated with oxidative stress in the treated cortical neurons. Cortical neurons treated with U18666A also showed decreased secretion and increased intraneuronal accumulation of â-a-myloid. The association of neuronal apoptosis with oxidative stress and Aâ accumulation may provide clues to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the role oxidative stress plays in other neurodegenerative diseases.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Neurosciences
Research Field:	Cellular Nervous System
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:	Nervous System and Disorders
UTAS Author:	Cheung, NS (Dr Nam Cheung)
ID Code:	61614
Year Published:	2006
Web of Science® Times Cited:	25
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2010-03-04
Last Modified:	2010-05-03
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