A study from the Swedish university Karolinska Institute revealed that cholesterol is necessary for the development of brain (formation of brain cells).

Results of research are published in Cell Stem Cell medicine journal.

Researches discovered that the formation of dopamine-producing neurons during brain development in mice is dependent on the activation of a specific receptor in the brain by an oxidized form of cholesterol called oxysterol.

Dopamine-producing neurons are highly important for brain functions.

Professor Ernest Arenas who led this research said that oxysterol contributes to a safer and better cultivation of dopamine-producing cells. He added that this fact is great advancement because it increases the possibility of developing new treatments for Parkinson’s disease.