Il link between cholesterol, triglycerides and cognitive decline is a topic of growing interest among experts, who are increasingly convinced that there is a causal relationship between high cholesterol and triglycerides and diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Yet, the research continues to deliver conflicting results. While it is true that some studies suggest that an excess of lipids may be a risk factor for cognitive decline, others indicate an even opposite associationsuch as the last one, published are Neurology and conducted by the University of Melbourne, according to which, in older adults, a high triglyceride level could be associated with a lower incidence of dementia and slower cognitive decline.
I study
The study involved more 18,000 elderly people and found that high triglyceride levels could be associated with a lower incidence of dementia and slower cognitive decline. These results, however, should be interpreted with caution, considering the negative effects of triglycerides on cardiovascular health.
Experts looked at data over a six-year period and found that each doubling of triglyceride levels was associated with an 18% lower risk of developing dementia. Additionally, participants with normal or elevated triglyceride levels showed a significantly reduced risk compared to those with low levels. However, other studies have produced conflicting results, complicating the understanding of this phenomenon.
Some researchers suggest that it is not so much the presence of high triglyceride levels that is protective, but rather the effect of related factors, such as better general health or lifestyle habits. Others speculate that triglycerides themselves may play a role in protecting the brain, as they provide energy necessary for its optimal functioning.
Connection between cholesterol, triglycerides and Alzheimer’s, conflicting studies
However, other studies have indicated a different relationship between lipids and dementia. For example, a recent study published in Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific found a link between high HDL cholesterol levels and an increased risk of dementia. These findings contrast with those of the University of Melbourne study, highlighting the complexity of this topic.
Betsy Mills, deputy director of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention program, suggested that it could be the interaction between different lipids a influence the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. At present, however, definitive clinical information on this topic is lacking, and doctors must base their decisions on individual patients and their medical history.
Despite the current uncertainties, many experts believe that The relationship between lipids and elderly brain health is a promising field of research. The amyloid hypothesis, which attributes the onset of the clinical symptoms of dementia to the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in the brain, is increasingly less solid, paving the way for new theories on the pathogenesis of dementia.