CHOLESTEROL AND MENTAL DISORDER

Background. Cholesterol plays an important part in cellular structure and function and changes in serum levels may affect neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Method. A MEDLINE literature search was made covering the period 1990-95 with systematic searching of citatio ns from the articles identified. Representative articles were selected , focusing on those aspects which had not been thoroughly reviewed els ewhere, namely suicidal ideation, depression, personality and schizoph renia. Results. Lowering cholesterol levels have been associated with an increase in violent deaths in cardiovascular primary prevention stu dies. However, altered cholesterol levers have also been reported in r elation to other psychiatric disorders. Conclusion. There is substanti al evidence that serum cholesterol levels may be associated with varia tions in mental state or personality. Further work is needed to clarif y this and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.