Fluctuating total cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased risk of dementia
The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementia was higher in older people with fluctuating cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to patients whose lipid levels appeared constant. More research is needed to understand the cause of the identified relationship and to determine whether eliminating fluctuations in lipid concentrations can reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester have found that fluctuations in blood lipid levels increase the likelihood of developing dementia. The findings are published on the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) website, citing the journal Neurology.
An analysis taking into account gender, age, baseline lipid levels, education, body mass index, and taking lipid-lowering medications showed that participants with the greatest fluctuations in total cholesterol had a 19% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. The greatest fluctuations in triglyceride levels increased the likelihood of dementia by 23%. No effect of fluctuations in high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was detected.
Data from 11,500 people without Alzheimer's disease or dementia before the study were analyzed. The average age of the participants was 71 years. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined at least three times within five years before the study. Any change in lipid levels (increase or decrease) over time was considered to be a fluctuation.