Changing Cholesterol Levels May Be Linked to Dementia Risk: Study - Video

Older adults whose cholesterol changes over time may be more likely to develop dementia than people whose cholesterol is stable, regardless of the actual cholesterol level, according to a study published in the online issue of Neurology®.

The study does not prove that changing cholesterol causes dementia; it only shows an association.

The study involved 9,846 people with an average age of 74 who did not have dementia or other memory problems. Cholesterol levels were measured at the beginning of the study and at three following annual visits. Participants were followed for an average of 5.5 years after the third visit. They took tests of memory skills annually.

The participants were divided into four equal groups based on the amount of change between their first and fourth cholesterol measurements. The difference between consecutive yearly measurements was 91 mg/dL on average in the group with the largest amount of change in total cholesterol and 22 mg/dL in the group with the smallest amount of change.

During the study, 509 people developed dementia. After adjusting for other factors that could affect the risk of dementia, such as age, smoking status and high blood pressure, researchers found that those in the high change group were 60% more likely to develop dementia than those in the low change group.

The study also found a link between changing cholesterol levels and cognitive impairment or memory problems that did not meet the criteria for dementia.

“Older people’s cholesterol should be monitored for changes over time to help identify people who may be at risk of cognitive impairment or dementia and could benefit from interventions, which could include lifestyle changes or making sure they start or keep taking statin to prevent fluctuations in their cholesterol and potentially reduce the risk of dementia,” said study author Zhen Zhou, PhD, of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Reference: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5229