Fluctuating Cholesterol Raises Alzheimer’s Risk

A new study conducted by scientists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, U.S.A. has found that people with fluctuating cholesterol levels are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. While the cause of Alzheimer’s remains unknown, risk factors such as high salt intake and obesity, which impairs blood flow to the brain, have been identified. The study, published in the journal Neurology, involved 11,571 participants over the age of 60 who had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The researchers examined their cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), and HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), on at least three different days in the five years prior to the study. The participants were then divided into five groups based on the extent of their cholesterol fluctuations. The group with the most stable levels had the lowest risk of developing Alzheimer’s, while the group with the greatest fluctuations had the highest risk. The participants were observed for an average of 13 years, during which time 2,473 people developed Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The study found that those with the most significant cholesterol fluctuations had a 19% higher risk of developing dementia than those with the most stable levels. The risk was also increased by 23% in the group with the highest triglyceride fluctuations. However, no correlation was found between LDL and HDL fluctuations and an increased risk of dementia. The study only shows a correlation between fluctuating cholesterol levels and Alzheimer’s risk, and no causality has been established. Further studies are needed to confirm the results and consider preventive measures. The authors suggest that regular cholesterol and triglyceride tests could help identify those at higher risk of dementia and potentially prevent the disease.