This study consists of the data from with 104 patients suffering from severe aortic stenosis, treated with a consecutive aortic valve replacement. In plasma and valve cusp tissue of the patients the concentrations of phytosterols and oxyphytosterols were determined. Patients with concomitant CAD are characterized by increased deposition of plant sterols. Moreover, patients with concomitant CAD were characterized by increased oxyphytosterol concentrations in plasma and aortic valve cusps.

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Highly purified sitosterol, cholesterol, 7β-OH-sitosterol, and 7β-OH-cholesterol were intraperitoneally injected in ApoE knock-out mice in a time period of four weeks. We could obtain new insights on the distribution of the applied compounds in liver, brain, and arterial wall tissue as well as on their impact on surrogate markers of cholesterol biosynthesis and absorption. Additionally, new information about the transport of phytosterols and oxyphytosterols across the blood-brain barrier could be gained.

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An isotope dilution gas-chromatography-mass selective detector method for combined determination of 7-oxygenated cholesterol, campesterol, and sitosterol as well as 4β-, 24(S)-, 25-, 27-OH-cholesterol was developed and validated. This new method allows oxysterol determination in excellent performance and reduced artefact formation. The new validated method will enable for reliable oxysterols results and guarantees a valuable progress in oxysterol research.

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Overweight and obesity have been shown to increase risk for dementia. To understand this better, we evaluated all epidemiologic studies published between 2003 and 2013 that reported on an association between body mass index (BMI) and dementia.  We selected 2003 as a starting point, since this is when the first report came out on this important association. In general, mid-life overweight or obese measures based on BMI were associated with late-life risk of dementia in approximately 50% of published associations.  In contrast, late-life measures of BMI showed overweight to be protective and obesity to not be associated with dementia risk. A snapshot of these mid-life and late-life BMI and dementia associations illustrates the changing relationship between BMI and dementia over the life course.

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The use of dietary intervention has evolved into a promising approach to prevent the onset and progression of brain diseases. Promising results of intake of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3-LCPUFAs),  are found regarding to the protection of the brain circulation and the brain cells and connections between brain area and cognitive functioning. Contrary, studies investigating diets high in saturated fats provide opposite results, which may eventually lead to diminished brain function and structure. This paper will review in vivo research conducted on the effects of ω3 LCPUFAs and saturated fatty acids on integrity (circulation, structure and function of the brain) of the young, aging and diseased brain.

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