A new study published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia links high cholesterol with a lower risk of cognitive decline for people over 85 years old.
But that might not necessarily mean that having high cholesterol prevents dementia.
Study participants aged 75 to 84 years old with higher late-life cholesterol texperienced a 50 percent higher risk of cognitive decline.
"Most people prior to late old age are vulnerable to the deleterious effects of total cholesterol," Silverman explained to The Daily Meal.
Conversely, he noted, the study suggests that "having high cholesterol need not be a serious source of concern" for dementia prevention.
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March 6 (UPI) -- It may be possible to predict risk for dementia based on biomarkers in blood samples, according to a new study by researchers in Texas.
Small molecules called metabolites in blood samples drawn from 22,623 individuals in eight cohort studies in five countries, including 995 people who went on to develop dementia, appear to reveal risk for developing dementia.
High-density lipoprotein, known as HDL, and a VLDL lipoprotein subclass, on the other hand, were linked with increased dementia risk.
The Glenn Biggs Institute hopes to develop a diagnostic exam, such as a blood test, to assess each patient's molecular signature of dementia risk.
"It is exciting to find new biomarkers that can help us identify persons who are at the highest risk of dementia."
Study reveals novel biomarkers for future dementia riskParticipants’ blood samples were drawn years before their dementia diagnosis.
The discovery is described in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
One high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and one VLDL lipoprotein subclass were associated with increased dementia risk.
The altered metabolite signatures were observed years before the diagnosis of dementia when those study participants were healthy, Dr. Seshadri said.
“I hope that people reading about this study will understand that they can take ownership of their health,” Dr. Seshadri said.
The discovery is described in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Associations with lower, higher riskResearchers found that higher blood concentrations of molecules called branched-chain amino acids were associated with lower risk of future dementia.
One high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and one VLDL lipoprotein subclass were associated with increased dementia risk.
Diagnostic examIn the future, the Glenn Biggs Institute may investigate the feasibility of developing a diagnostic exam, such as a blood test, to assess each patient's molecular signature of dementia risk.
The altered metabolite signatures were observed years before the diagnosis of dementia when those study participants were healthy, Dr. Seshadri said.
The discovery is described in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
One high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and one VLDL lipoprotein subclass were associated with increased dementia risk.
Diagnostic examIn the future, the Glenn Biggs Institute may investigate the feasibility of developing a diagnostic exam, such as a blood test, to assess each patient's molecular signature of dementia risk.
###Glenn Biggs InstituteThe Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases was announced by William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, president of UT Health San Antonio, in September 2015.
Dr. Seshadri, internationally respected dementia research leader from Boston University, began duties Dec. 1, 2017, as founding director of the Glenn Biggs Institute.
A new study published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia links high cholesterol with a lower risk of cognitive decline for people over 85 years old.
But that might not necessarily mean that having high cholesterol prevents dementia.
In other words, higher cholesterol among the very old was associated with a reduced chance for dementia.
Study participants aged 75 to 84 years old with higher late-life cholesterol texperienced a 50 percent higher risk of cognitive decline.
“Most people prior to late old age are vulnerable to the deleterious effects of total cholesterol,” Silverman explained to The Daily Meal.
"It's such that people who are making it who remain alive and who have high cholesterol are more likely to carry other factors that protect them against the bad effects of cholesterol," he explained.
"Overall, high cholesterol was associated with a bad cognitive [mental] decline, but when we look only at people who were in good cognitive health at 85, a rising cholesterol was associated with a better outcome," Silverman said.
"We don't think that having a high cholesterol becomes a good thing -- it's just that you're likely to be the kind of person for whom cholesterol doesn't matter," he explained.
Silverman doesn't think that cholesterol itself is protective against mental decline, but that other factors protect against the bad effects of cholesterol.
"We can focus specifically on those old people with high cholesterol and look for factors that protect them from cognitive decline," he said.
The authors of this new study looked at the association of cholesterol levels and cognitive functions at different age groups.
Results revealed that increased cholesterol levels since the 40’s led to an increased cognitive decline as the participant aged.
Authors warn that this study does not advocate raising one’s cholesterol during their 40’s to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
This is because, there is a positive risk of getting dementia among the aged if they have high cholesterol levels during their 40’s.
Further high cholesterol levels do lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.