Study shows changes in cholesterol levels may indicate a higher risk of dementia

Unexplained changes in cholesterol levels may be linked to a higher risk of dementia, a new study shows.
Researchers found that people with stable cholesterol levels had a lower risk of developing dementia than people with fluctuating levels.
Experts explain the results.

Your cholesterol The values, whether good or bad, serve as an indicator of heart health. However, a recent study shows that if your levels are consistently consistent, your risk of developing dementia later in life may be greater.

A Preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific sessions 2024 used in- and post-trial data from participants participating in a randomized clinical trial. Low-dose aspirin was found not to be effective in reducing the risk of heart disease in Australian and American adults. Of note: 96% of the study was white adults, so the results may not apply to everyone.

While a third of the nearly 10,000 participants took cholesterol-lowering medications (or a Statins), none started taking the drug, stopped taking it, or changed the type of drug during the follow-up period.

All participants were relatively healthy adults in their 70s without dementia whose cholesterol levels were monitored annually. The first three cholesterol measurements taken in the study were used to determine how much each person’s lipid levels fluctuated from year to year. During nearly six years of annual follow-up, 509 participants developed dementia and another 1,760 developed cognitive decline without dementia.

Researchers found that people with stable cholesterol levels had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline than people with fluctuating cholesterol levels. More specifically, they found that high fluctuations (in the top 25%) of total cholesterol were associated with a 60% increase in dementia and a 23% increase in cognitive decline.

The results also showed that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol) and fluctuations in total cholesterol were associated with significantly faster declines in general cognitive health test scores and tests involving memory and reaction speed.

On the other hand, there are high fluctuations in high-density lipoproteins (HDL or “good” cholesterol) or triglycerides (the most common type of fat in the body that stores excess energy from food) have not been linked to dementia or cognitive decline.

So what does it mean to have fluctuating cholesterol levels? Most people have stable cholesterol levels, with changes over many years, he says Jonathan Fialkow, MDdeputy director of the Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. However, it has been found that “in some people, levels can fluctuate dramatically over a short period of time, such as a year.” This would be called “fluctuating cholesterol levels,” he explains.

Most often, fluctuating cholesterol levels are the result of other medical problems such as: Thyroid abnormalitiesor through medication or significant weight changes, says Dr. Fialkov. “There is no evidence that it is significant in the general population, although this new study looking at a population group has found that some with fluctuating cholesterol levels may be more likely to develop dementia.” This is a new idea and would require many more studies and requires evidence before it becomes a risk factor, he notes.

Lifestyle choices like exercise or diet often affect cholesterol levels, he says Kimberly Campbell, MDCardiologist at Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia. Therefore, “lifestyle changes such as: “Less exercise or more fast food, for example, can drastically change cholesterol levels.” Smoking, stress and alcohol consumption are other factors that can have a negative impact on cholesterol levels, says Dr. Campbell firmly. “So fluctuating cholesterol levels can be an indication that your body is struggling with health problems or stress, or that a person is not consistently adhering to healthy habits,” she says.

What is the connection between cholesterol levels and dementia?

There is a clear connection between cholesterol/lipids and dementia, says Dr. Fialkov. In fact, the risk factors for vascular dementia are the same as for coronary artery disease. “The interaction between the lipids in our body and inflammation of the blood vessels can lead to this,” he explains. Drastic changes in cholesterol levels can also affect the stability of plaque in our blood vessels, which can lead to brain damage that leads to vascular dementia, he points out.

The end result

The direct connection between cholesterol and dementia is still unclear, although elevated levels of LDL cholesterol in particular are considered a risk factor for dementia, it is said Peter Gliebus, MDDirector of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at the Marcus Neuroscience Institute. “This study suggests that people with high cholesterol variability may have a higher risk of developing dementia.” However, the data is preliminary and does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, he clarifies.

“The study does not show that there are fluctuations causing “Cognitive decline… It is more likely that fluctuating cholesterol levels are a marker of an underlying process that leads to cognitive decline,” explains Dr. Campbell.

Dr. Fialkow agrees and says this study shows no change in usual recommendations. “A healthy diet with mostly natural, unprocessed foods, regular exercise, good sleep, stress management and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol remain the pillars of reducing the risk of heart disease.” And Dementia,” he states.

Still, large differences in cholesterol levels can help identify people at risk of developing dementia, emphasizes Dr. Campbell. “By identifying those at greatest risk, we can determine who will benefit most from interventions to improve cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia,” she says.

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