Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in Parkinson`s disease and essential tremor

The role of lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of Parkinson`s disease is still controversial. Most authors suggest that higher The role of lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of Parkinson`s disease is still controversial. Most authors suggest that higher serum cholesterol may be associated with a lower risk of Parkinson`s disease. Debates exist as to whether essential tremor shares similar neuropathological mechanisms as Parkinson`s disease. We investigated serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in a clinical setting of Parkinson`s disease versus essential tremor patients. Two hundred and sixteen Parkinson`s disease patients (126 males), aged 68.04 years, with 4.58 years disease duration and 342 essential tremor patients (118 males), aged 69.39 years, with 5.3 years disease duration were included, hospitalized during a period of 7 years in First Clinic of Neurology, University St Marina Hospital, Varna, Bulgaria. We found insignificantly higher levels of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride in essential tremor patients. Results differ statistically only on gender level with increased cholesterol in males and triglycerides in females. Our findings may indicate divergent pathophysiological mechanisms underlying Parkinson`s disease and essential tremor. Further research may elucidate the role of lipid metabolism changes in both diseases.Biomed Rev 2015; 26: 43-46.Key words: serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, Parkinson`s disease, essential tremo