Cholesterol fluctuations may cause higher Dementia risk, new study indicates

SYDNEY: A new research conducted as part of the ASPREE project, which investigated the health impacts of low-dose aspirin suggests that fluctuating cholesterol levels, especially in older adults, may increase the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. The research was conducted on 9,846 participants in their 70s, belonging primarily to Australia and the United States of America.

This study sheds new light on how cholesterol variability may affect brain health beyond known cardiovascular risks. The findings revealed that participants with the highest fluctuations in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, often called "bad" cholesterol) had a significantly higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline compared to those with more stable levels.

The study divided participants into four groups based on cholesterol fluctuations and followed them over six years, during which 509 people developed dementia and 1,760 experienced cognitive decline without full dementia onset. Participants with the highest variability in total cholesterol had a 60% higher risk of dementia and a 23% higher chance of cognitive decline, while those with the greatest LDL-C fluctuations saw a 48% increase in dementia risk and a 27% increase in cognitive decline.

Lead researcher Dr. Zhen Zhou, from Monash University, advocated for annual cholesterol monitoring in older adults. Dr. Zhou highlighted that significant year-to-year cholesterol variability could potentially serve as an early biomarker for dementia, offering a valuable tool for early diagnosis and intervention in populations at risk.

The research team, however, emphasized that further studies are needed to validate these findings and determine whether cholesterol fluctuations directly contribute to cognitive impairment or if they simply indicate other underlying health risks. Dr. Clifford Segil, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, cautioned against immediate changes to clinical practice, noting that while cholesterol levels are crucial for heart health, they are not yet recognized risk factors for dementia.

The study suggests that annual tracking of total cholesterol and LDL-C levels might one day become a standard preventative measure in assessing dementia risk among older adults. However, experts recommend caution until further research establishes a clear connection between cholesterol variability and cognitive health.