Neuroprotection by lowering cholesterol: A decrease in membrane cholesterol content reduces transporter-mediated glutamate release from brain nerve terminals

►Lowering cholesterol reduces transporter-mediated glutamate release from nerve terminals. ►Lowering cholesterol attenuates glutamate release by heteroexchange and in low N+ medium. ►Lowering cholesterol decreases glutamate release during dissipation of the proton gradient of synaptic vesicles. ►Lowering cholesterol may be used for neuroprotection after stroke, cerebral hypoxia/ischemia. ►A decrease in transporter-mediated glutamate release may be mechanism of neuroprotective effect of statins.