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In Vitro Neurotoxicology pp 403–414Cite as

Assessment of Cholesterol Homeostasis in Astrocytes and Neurons

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 758))

Abstract

Cholesterol homeostasis is highly regulated in the nervous system; dysregulation in cholesterol trafficking and content have been involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases). Furthermore, low cholesterol levels during brain development are associated with neurodevelopmental deficits and mental retardation. The methods described in this chapter can be used to investigate the effect of neurotoxicants on cholesterol homeostasis. Astrocytes and neurons are two major cell types in the brain in which cholesterol synthesis and efflux are highly regulated to keep a proper cellular cholesterol level. Disruption in cholesterol synthesis and/or cholesterol efflux may result in cholesterol deficiency or accumulation in these cells leading to brain dysfunctions.

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Acknowledgments

Work by the authors was supported in part by grant AA-017180 from the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Marina Guizzetti

Authors
  1. Jing Chen
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  2. Lucio G. Costa
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  3. Marina Guizzetti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marina Guizzetti .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Environmental and, University of Washington, Roosevelt Way NE 4225, Seattle, 98105, Washington, USA

    Lucio G. Costa

  2. , Department of Environmental and, University of Washington, Roosevelt Way NE 4225, Seattle, 98105, Washington, USA

    Gennaro Giordano

  3. Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, South Damen Avenue 820, Seattle, 60612, Illinois, USA

    Marina Guizzetti

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Chen, J., Costa, L.G., Guizzetti, M. (2011). Assessment of Cholesterol Homeostasis in Astrocytes and Neurons. In: Costa, L., Giordano, G., Guizzetti, M. (eds) In Vitro Neurotoxicology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 758. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-170-3_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-170-3_27

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-169-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-170-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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