Some forms of hypobetalipoproteinemia (HBL) are associated with a longevity syndrome and cardiovascular protection due to prolonged exposure to low levels of LDL-C. However, while LDL-C reduction has been studied extensively for its beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk, other studies have reported that low levels of LDL-C (either spontaneous or artificially occurring with low-fat diets or lipid-lowering drugs) may be associated with psychiatric symptoms (psychotic or mood disorders, aggression, suicidal attempts, etc.) or altered cognitive performance (particularly executive functioning). These studies have led to contradictory results, and the possible link between low LDL-C levels and psychiatric symptoms remains highly controversial so far.~The PARTITION study aims at estimating the prevalence of hypobetalipoproteinemia (HBL), defined as a LDL-C level ≤ 0,50 g/L, in a psychiatric population. Moreover, the study includes the characterization of psychiatric disorders as well as psychological and personal characteristics associated with HBL. The evolutionary profile of patients with and without HBL will be studied. Genetic characteristics and biomarkers of HBL will also be studied.
The links between low LDL-C levels and psychologic symptoms (psychotic disorders, mood disorders, aggressivity, suicidal risk, etc.) and cognitive deficits (mainly executing functioning) are debated. The PARTITION study aims at estimating the prevalence of hypobetalipoproteinemia (HBL), defined as a LDL-C level ≤ 0,50 g/L, in a psychiatric population.