Schematic representation of SIM (simvastatin) induced neuritogenesis pathway.

<p>SIM treatment to SH-SY5Y cells promotes retention of cell surface cholesterol (CSC) which regulates cellular function by stabilizing lipid raft signaling and maintenance of neurite outgrowth. Simultaneously, depletion of cholesterol by SIM activates an intracellular phosphatase i.e. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) which inactivates AMPK by dephosphorylating at Thr 172. This is followed by activation of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) through dephosphorylation at Ser-79. New fatty acids get synthesized which act as precursors for neurites during elongation process.