Relationship between cholesterol variability, dementia

High fluctuations in total cholesterol levels may be associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, according to a press release from the American Heart Association.

In a study presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2024, investigators used data from the ASPREE trial to examine the outcomes of less than 10,000 patients with an average age of 74 years.

After a follow-up of six years, the investigators found that more than 500 of the patients were diagnosed with dementia, whereas more than 1,750 of them experienced cognitive decline without dementia. The patients with highly variable cholesterol levels had a 60% greater likelihood of developing dementia and a 23% higher risk of experiencing cognitive decline compared with those who had stable cholesterol levels.

The findings illuminated potential factors resulting in an increased risk of dementia. The investigators suggested that individuals should follow healthful lifestyle behaviors such as exercise and healthy eating to preserve cognitive health.

Read more: AHA

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