Low HDL in midlife linked to dementia

Published: June 30, 2008 at 7:18 PM

PARIS, June 30 (UPI) -- Low levels of high-density lipoproteins, or HDL the "good" cholesterol, in middle age may increase memory loss and dementia risk, French researchers said.

Lead author Archana Singh-Manoux of the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research in Paris and the University College London in England observed 3,673 Whitehall II participants. Whitehall II, which began in 1985, is long-term health examination of more than 10,000 British civil servants.

"Memory problems are key in the diagnosis of dementia," Singh-Manoux said in a statement. "We found that a low level of HDL may be a risk factor for memory loss in late mid-life. This suggests that low HDL cholesterol might also be a risk factor for dementia."

Researchers defined low HDL as less than 40 mg/dL and high HDL as 60 mg/dL or higher. The team compared blood-fat and memory data collected when study members were age 55 and 61.

The study found at age 55, participants with low HDL cholesterol showed a 27 percent increased risk of memory loss and at age 60, participants with low HDL had a 53 percent increased risk of memory loss.

The findings are reported in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
What makes holidays special can kill pets
NHL: Chicago 7, San Jose 2
NBA: Portland 93, New Jersey 83
NBA: Sacramento 111, New York 97
COL BKB: Kentucky 73, Stanford 65 (OT)
NHL: Anaheim 3, Carolina 2
NHL: Los Angeles 3, Edmonton 1
fark
The six most horrific lessons ever taught in elementary school
Thirty-two percent of American men are obviously watching Alton Brown more than the Dallas Cowboys...
Old and Busted: Crashing a wedding reception. New Hotness: Crashing Obama's first State Dinner
Truthers won't be getting much sleep this week after Wikileaks posts 573,000 pager messages from...
Photoshop this Unisphere
Coño man, it has been 10 years since Elián touch our hearts, Ft Lauderdale