Associations between plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile X syndrome

Abstract Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by mutations in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene, characterized by low plasma cholesterol levels. Considering the essential role of brain cholesterol in signaling and synaptogenesis, it is important to screen for brain cholesterol abnormalities in F...

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Main Authors: Asma Laroui, Daniela Rojas, Sophie Bouhour, Mélodie Proteau-Lemieux, Luc Galarneau, Sérine Benachenhou, Armita Abolghasemi, Rosalie Plantefeve, Pierre-Luc Mallet, François Corbin, Jean-François Lepage, Artuela Çaku
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Lipid Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227525000471
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author Asma Laroui
Daniela Rojas
Sophie Bouhour
Mélodie Proteau-Lemieux
Luc Galarneau
Sérine Benachenhou
Armita Abolghasemi
Rosalie Plantefeve
Pierre-Luc Mallet
François Corbin
Jean-François Lepage
Artuela Çaku
author_facet Asma Laroui
Daniela Rojas
Sophie Bouhour
Mélodie Proteau-Lemieux
Luc Galarneau
Sérine Benachenhou
Armita Abolghasemi
Rosalie Plantefeve
Pierre-Luc Mallet
François Corbin
Jean-François Lepage
Artuela Çaku
author_sort Asma Laroui
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by mutations in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene, characterized by low plasma cholesterol levels. Considering the essential role of brain cholesterol in signaling and synaptogenesis, it is important to screen for brain cholesterol abnormalities in FXS and explore their link with neuropsychological profiles. Brain cholesterol is synthesized in situ, and the excess is primarily converted to 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24(S)-OHC). 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is the major cholesterol oxidation metabolite that crosses the blood-brain barrier from peripheral circulation into the brain. Plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC and 27-OHC were quantified in FXS and control individuals. The FXS group underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation to evaluate corticospinal excitability and inhibition. The clinical profile was assessed using questionnaires evaluating specific symptoms related to autism, aberrant behaviors, and anxiety. Study results show a significant decrease in plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC in FXS as compared to controls (78.48 nM ± 20.90 vs. 99.53 nM ± 32.30; P = 0.006). Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC and motor evoked potential (rs = −0.57; P = 0.05) in FXS. Similarly, a negative correlation was also found between plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC and the total score of the Social Communication Questionnaire (rs = −0.72; P = 0.002) and the Anxiety Depression and Mood Scale (rs = −0.61; P = 0.02). The 24(S)-OHC is associated with specific neurophysiological and behavioral characteristics in individuals with FXS. Larger studies are warranted to confirm the potential of 24(S)-OHC as a reliable biomarker for FXS.
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spelling doaj-art-6819b25c5d644a2692d7e94c0c8ccb6c2025-08-20T03:51:59ZengElsevierJournal of Lipid Research0022-22752025-05-0166510078710.1016/j.jlr.2025.100787Associations between plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile X syndromeAsma Laroui0Daniela Rojas1Sophie Bouhour2Mélodie Proteau-Lemieux3Luc Galarneau4Sérine Benachenhou5Armita Abolghasemi6Rosalie Plantefeve7Pierre-Luc Mallet8François Corbin9Jean-François Lepage10Artuela Çaku11Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaResearch Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Paediatrics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada; For correspondence: Jean-François LepageDepartment of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, CanadaAbstract Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by mutations in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene, characterized by low plasma cholesterol levels. Considering the essential role of brain cholesterol in signaling and synaptogenesis, it is important to screen for brain cholesterol abnormalities in FXS and explore their link with neuropsychological profiles. Brain cholesterol is synthesized in situ, and the excess is primarily converted to 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24(S)-OHC). 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is the major cholesterol oxidation metabolite that crosses the blood-brain barrier from peripheral circulation into the brain. Plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC and 27-OHC were quantified in FXS and control individuals. The FXS group underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation to evaluate corticospinal excitability and inhibition. The clinical profile was assessed using questionnaires evaluating specific symptoms related to autism, aberrant behaviors, and anxiety. Study results show a significant decrease in plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC in FXS as compared to controls (78.48 nM ± 20.90 vs. 99.53 nM ± 32.30; P = 0.006). Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC and motor evoked potential (rs = −0.57; P = 0.05) in FXS. Similarly, a negative correlation was also found between plasma levels of 24(S)-OHC and the total score of the Social Communication Questionnaire (rs = −0.72; P = 0.002) and the Anxiety Depression and Mood Scale (rs = −0.61; P = 0.02). The 24(S)-OHC is associated with specific neurophysiological and behavioral characteristics in individuals with FXS. Larger studies are warranted to confirm the potential of 24(S)-OHC as a reliable biomarker for FXS.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227525000471fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1cholesteroloxysterols24(S)-hydroxycholesterol27-hydroxycholesteroltranscranial magnetic stimulation
spellingShingle Asma Laroui
Daniela Rojas
Sophie Bouhour
Mélodie Proteau-Lemieux
Luc Galarneau
Sérine Benachenhou
Armita Abolghasemi
Rosalie Plantefeve
Pierre-Luc Mallet
François Corbin
Jean-François Lepage
Artuela Çaku
Associations between plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile X syndrome
Journal of Lipid Research
fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1
cholesterol
oxysterols
24(S)-hydroxycholesterol
27-hydroxycholesterol
transcranial magnetic stimulation
title Associations between plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile X syndrome
title_full Associations between plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile X syndrome
title_fullStr Associations between plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile X syndrome
title_full_unstemmed Associations between plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile X syndrome
title_short Associations between plasma 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile X syndrome
title_sort associations between plasma 24 s hydroxycholesterol and neuropsychological profile in fragile x syndrome
topic fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1
cholesterol
oxysterols
24(S)-hydroxycholesterol
27-hydroxycholesterol
transcranial magnetic stimulation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227525000471
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