Abstract: Cytochrome P450 (CYP46A1) is a central neuro-specific metabolic enzyme that converts cholesterol into 24-hydroxycholesterol. This metabolic process is the main mechanism of cholesterol elimination in brain and is closely related to the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on the relationship between CYP46A1 and neurodegenerative diseases, from the aspects of regulatory mechanism of CYP46A1 enzyme, the relationship between CYP46A1 and cognitive dysfunction, epileptic encephalopathy, and CYP46A1 enzyme activity modifiers (inhibitors and agonists) to illustrate the pivotal role of CYP46A1 in the development and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases in hope of providing new target and direction for the research and development of new drugs.

Key words: CYP46A1, neurodegenerative diseases, regulatory mechanism, modulators