Changes in cholesterol levels can increase the risk of dementia. What are the results of a new study?

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 tracked their cholesterol levels and cognitive function for six years. 509 participants developed dementia and another 1,760 experienced cognitive decline without dementia.

Changes in cholesterol levels can 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 cases of depression. At the same time, it produced a 23 percent increase in cognitive decline among research participants.

The findings suggest that cholesterol variability may be a biomarker or risk factor for mental health. These could help design future treatments aimed at stabilizing cholesterol levels to support brain health, compliance Neuroscience.

Changes in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol may be associated with faster cognitive decline. At the same time, they can affect memory and reaction speed.

All participants in the study were in their 70s and 55% were women. Around 1 in 4 reported a family history of dementia and around 40% said they were smokers, according to WebMD. Almost everyone lived in Australia and more than half of the people were overweight or obese.

Significant changes in good cholesterol, also known as HDL cholesterol or triglycerides, were not associated with depression or cognitive decline.

Study results suggest possible new treatments

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in the blood. It is made 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, American Heart Association compliance.

“Older people with fluctuating cholesterol levels unrelated to having taken lipid-lowering medications, especially those with large changes from year to year, may deserve closer monitoring and preventive interventions for -active,” said lead author Zhen Zhou, a postdoctoral researcher at Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Melbourne, Australia.

Various factors affect lipid metabolism in the elderly. These include: functional decline, biological aging, depletion of physiological resources and problems related to nutrient intake, according to the study published in Circulation.

Many researchers have argued that an imbalance of lipid metabolism can have a negative impact on brain health. The study aimed to examine the relationship between year-to-year lipid variability and subsequent risk of cognitive decline and depression in older adults.

At the same time, there are several things, which it can have the effect of accelerating the aging of the brain. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can underlie this change, but it can be reversed with a healthy lifestyle.