Cholesterol

The study confirmed the Morcos laboratory's earlier findings of improved memory in this mouse model of Alzheimer's and discovered new information about the neurochemical basis of the beneficial effects.

Various studies have found evidence of a strong relationship between memory deficits and high levels of In this study, Dr.

H.

A.

Morcos found that nNOS (neuronal nitric oxide synthase) levels were significantly higher in the hippocampus and cortex of statin treated groups as compared to similar mice that did not receive statin.

Furthermore, the levels of nNOS proteins were statistically higher in the hippocampus of the statin treated animals than in the cortex.

nNOS is responsible for the release of nitric oxide, a substance that causes dilation of the blood vessels in the brain, which eventually will increase blood flow and improve circulation to the memory region of the brain.

These findings suggest that increases in brain nNos levels may play an important role in statin-induced improvement of spatial reference memory.The transgenic mice used in the study are homozygous for the gene for beta amy...

Read more...