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Abstract: Cholesterol is a key structural component of eukaryotic cell membranes. It maintains the stability and fluidity of the membrane by regulating packing density of lipid. It is also a core component of lipid raft microdomain，participating in cellular signal transduction. Physiologically，cholesterol is an essential precursor for many vital substances in human body，such as steroid hormones，vitamin D，and bile acids. Particularly in the nervous system，Cholesterol plays a critical role in neural insulation,synaptic plasticity，and neuro-development,as a major component of myelin. Cholesterol homeostasis relies on the precise regulation of multiple metabolic pathways，including synthesis，uptake，efflux，and esterification. Key genes such as HMGCR，NPC1L1，ABCA1，ABCG1，and LCAT play central roles. Cholesterol plays a dual role in maintaining health balance. Hypercholesterolemia increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases，specific types of cancer，Alzheimer’s disease and some other disorders. However，cholesterol insufficiency can also disrupt cell membrane function，impair neural transmission，and lead to endocrine disorders. Given the complex regulatory mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism in human，recent nutritional perspectives no longer simply set an upper limit for dietary cholesterol intake，but emphasize its indispensability in physiological function，and advocate for balance in overall dietary patterns. Future research should focus on the balance between the nutritional value of cholesterol and individual metabolism to precisely prevent and treat related diseases.

Key words: cholesterol, neurodevelopment, cholesterol homeostasis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, nutrition