Link between Huntington's and Abnormal Cholesterol Levels Discovered

Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that the mutated Huntington's protein causes cholesterol accumulation in neurons. This mutant protein alters the proper transport of materials required of neurons. This in turn causes the symptoms associated with Huntington's, such as chorea and personality changes.

Cholesterol accumulation occurs when the mutant protein is expressed with calveolin-1, which is found in the caveolae. The researchers found that omitting the expression of caveolin causes the neurons expressing the mutant protein to stop accumulating cholesterol. This research proved to be a landmark in figuring out how Huntington's disease works and also how it is incurred.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061201105735.htm