Fluctuations in cholesterol levels can increase the risk of dementia, especially if these changes occur every year. A new study shows that they can promote the onset of cognitive decline, even if the patients’ medication is not changed.
During the work, the scientists evaluated 9,846 older adults. They monitored their cholesterol levels and cognitive function for six years. 509 participants developed dementia and another 1,760 experienced cognitive decline without dementia.
Fluctuations in cholesterol levels may increase the risk of dementia
High variability in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol, was associated with a 60% increase in dementia cases. At the same time, it produced a 23 percent increase in cognitive decline among research participants.
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The findings suggest that cholesterol variability may be a potential biomarker or risk factor for cognitive health. These may help design future therapies that aim to stabilize cholesterol levels to support brain health, conform Neuroscience.
Fluctuations in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol may correlate with faster cognitive decline. At the same time, they can affect memory and reaction speed.
All the people who took part in the study were in their 70s and 55% of them were women. Around 1 in 4 reported a family history of dementia and around 40% said they were ex-smokers, according to WebMD. Almost all lived in Australia and more than half of the people were overweight or obese.
Large fluctuations in good cholesterol, also called HDL cholesterol or triglycerides, were not associated with dementia or cognitive decline.
Study results suggest new potential treatments
Cholesterol is a waxy substance with a fat-like appearance in the blood. It is produced in the liver, but can also be obtained from food. In general, it can be assimilated from products of animal origin, such as: meat, eggs, cheese and milk, conform American Heart Association.
“Elderly individuals with fluctuating cholesterol levels unrelated to having taken lipid-lowering medications, particularly those experiencing large variations from year to year, may warrant closer monitoring and proactive preventive interventions,” said lead author Zhen Zhou, a postdoctoral researcher at Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Melbourne, Australia.
Lipid metabolism in elderly people is affected by various factors. These include: functional decline, biological aging, depletion of physiological reserves and problems associated with nutrient intake, according to the study published in Circulation.
Many researchers have argued that the imbalance of lipid metabolism can have a negative impact on brain health. The study aimed to investigate the association between year-to-year lipid variability and subsequent risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.
At the same time, there are several factors that can have an effect of accelerating the aging of the brain. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can underlie this change, but can be reversed with a healthy lifestyle.
Fluctuations in cholesterol levels can increase the risk of dementia, especially if these changes occur every year. A new study shows that they can promote the onset of cognitive decline, even if the patients’ medication is not changed.
During the work, the scientists evaluated 9,846 older adults, which is one of those numbers that sounds impressive until you realize it’s just a massive group of people with questionable taste in music. They monitored their cholesterol levels and cognitive function for six years. And just to add a bit of drama, 509 participants developed dementia and another 1,760 experienced cognitive decline without dementia. Talk about a split personality—cognitive mild and cognitive not-so-mild!
Fluctuations in cholesterol levels may increase the risk of dementia
High variability in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, known as bad cholesterol (you know, that annoying friend who just drains your energy), was linked to a 60% increase in dementia cases. Meanwhile, this same cholesterol hooligan caused a 23% increase in cognitive decline among our aging participants. It’s like they went on a rollercoaster ride, and we forgot to tell them to keep their hands inside the vehicle!
The findings suggest that cholesterol variability might just be the new crystal ball for predicting cognitive health. Maybe we could start steering future therapies towards stabilizing cholesterol levels. That’s right, folks—let’s make cholesterol great again! These changes could ultimately support brain health, according to the smart folks over at Neuroscience.
Now, brace yourselves—fluctuations in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol may correlate with a faster cognitive decline, which in turn affects memory and reaction speed. Spoiler alert: If you found yourself struggling to remember the last time you had a good thought, that might be a clue!
All participants were in their 70s, and like a great dinner party, 55% were women. Around 1 in 4 reported a family history of dementia—so at least someone at Thanksgiving is going to have a good excuse to forget the potatoes! With around 40% being ex-smokers, we can only speculate what the other 60% were smoking. Almost all lived in Australia, which suggests they’ve been wrestling with both giant spiders and their cholesterol, and more than half were overweight or obese—a bit like their enjoyment of shrimp on the barbie, they just couldn’t resist!
Interestingly, large fluctuations in good cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol, were not associated with dementia or cognitive decline. Good cholesterol is like the responsible friend who’s always sober at the party saying, “You really shouldn’t have another drink!”
Study results suggest new potential treatments
Cholesterol, a waxy substance with a fat-like appearance (which honestly sounds like a bad French cuisine), is produced in the liver but can also pop up in your diet. Think meat, eggs, cheese, and milk—or as I like to call it, a Friday night treat! According to the American Heart Association, it has a flair for joining the party in all the wrong places.
As Zhen Zhou, the lead author from Monash University, put it: “Elderly individuals with fluctuating cholesterol levels unrelated to having taken lipid-lowering medications”—squeeze that into a party conversation and watch them wear a puzzled look!—”especially those experiencing large variations from year to year, may warrant closer monitoring.” Translation: we might need to check in on grandma’s cholesterol like we check on her bingo skills!
Lipid metabolism in elderly folks is affected by various factors, such as functional decline, biological aging, and let’s not forget—the joys of nutrient intake. Apparently, as you age, your body’s metabolism takes a vacation, and you’ve guessed it, your brain gets the hangover.
Many researchers argue that an imbalance in lipid metabolism can wreak havoc on brain health. This study aimed to examine how year-to-year lipid variability affects the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. It’s like putting them in a life-sized game of chess where one false move and those neurons just stop working!
Lastly, it’s noteworthy that several factors can speed up the aging of the brain. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can underlie this change, but wait—there’s hope! A healthy lifestyle can act as the superhero cape we all need, proving that we can save the day, one salad at a time!
What is the relationship between cholesterol variability and cognitive decline in older adults?
Ubstance found in the bloodstream, plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including hormone production and cell membrane integrity. However, as highlighted in the recent study, fluctuations in cholesterol levels, particularly total and LDL cholesterol, can significantly impact cognitive health in older adults.
Researchers found that high variability in these cholesterol levels was associated with a remarkable 60% increase in dementia cases and a 23% increase in cases of cognitive decline among the participants over the six-year period. This points to a disturbing relationship between unstable cholesterol levels and deteriorating brain function.
The study surveyed nearly 10,000 older adults in their 70s, revealing demographic insights such as a predominance of women (55%) and a notable proportion of participants with a family history of dementia. This context underlines the importance of monitoring cholesterol levels in this demographic, especially considering that nearly half of the participants were categorized as overweight or obese, which further complicates health outcomes.
Interestingly, while LDL cholesterol’s variability poses risks, fluctuations in HDL cholesterol, regarded as “good cholesterol,” did not show a correlation with cognitive decline or dementia. This suggests that maintaining stable levels of bad cholesterol while promoting good cholesterol could be a key strategy for safeguarding cognitive health.
The study’s findings imply a potential shift in preventive strategies, advocating for a focus on stabilizing cholesterol levels rather than just targeting them for reduction. This approach could eventually lead to novel therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating the risks of cognitive decline and dementia among older adults.
the evidence reinforces the importance of a holistic approach to health in the elderly, accounting for lifestyle factors, diet, and proactive monitoring of lipid profiles to sustain cognitive function as one ages.
