PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 20(4), С. e0314690 - e0314690

Опубликована: Апрель 28, 2025

Statins are highly effective and widely prescribed cholesterol lowering drugs. However, statins cross the blood-brain barrier decrease neural in animal models, raising concern that long-term statin use may impact cholesterol-dependent structures functions brain. Cholesterol is a fundamental component of cell membranes experimentally decreasing membrane has been shown to alter morphology vitro. In addition, brain regions undergo adult neurogenesis rely on local for manufacture new neuronal membranes. Thus be particularly vulnerable use. Here we asked whether oral treatment impacts juveniles, either by numbers cells formed or altering structure neurons. The children adolescents received less attention than older adults, with few studies potential unintended effects young brains. We examined neurons juvenile zebra finch songbird telencephalic function song perception memory (caudomedial nidopallium, NCM) production (HVC). Birds 40 mg/kg atorvastatin water vehicle once daily 2–3 months until they reached adulthood. labeled newborn using systemic injections bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) quantified double-labeled antibodies BrdU neuron-specific protein Hu 30–32 days post mitosis. also younger cohort same birds antibody doublecortin (DCX). then compared soma + /Hu+ between statin-treated control birds. did not find an effect density newly region, suggesting neuron survival our paradigm. found differed significantly Somata (30–32 day old) were flatter had more furrowed contours relative controls. larger, heterogeneous non-birthdated BrdU-/Hu+ neurons, largely born prior treatment, somata smaller Our findings indicate affect cytoarchitecture both mature perhaps as consequence decreased availability

Язык: Английский