Lipid Metabolism in Neurocognitive Disorders: Current Update

Abstract

The physiology and the pathology of the Central Nervous System (CNS) is very complex, and only by understanding it the scientific research might develop effective treatments. Neurocognitive Disorders, extremely diffused diseases, have a multifactorial aetiology, in which lipid homeostasis plays an important role, as known. The aim of this mini-review is focus on interesting recently published researches on the topic, in order to put together some pieces of the puzzle of such an enormous physiopathology chapter. After a brief introduction, we will describe important aspects of CNS lipid metabolism, then we will examine the conclusions of recent articles relating to lipid role in neurodegeneration. The recent scientific literature has strengthened the position of some well-known “biological agents” – i.e. lipid peroxidation and apolipoprotein E4 allele –but also detailed the importance of new promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets.