Low cholesterol levels are associated with higher rates of dementia

This study was published in the Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2010 May;65(5):559-64

Study title and authors:
Relationship between low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and dementia in the elderly. The InChianti study.

Zuliani G, Cavalieri M, Galvani M, Volpato S, Cherubini A, Bandinelli S, Corsi AM, Lauretani F, Guralnik JM, Fellin R, Ferrucci L.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, Gerontology and Geriatrics, University of Ferrara, Via Savonarola 9, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. gzuliani@hotmail.com

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20299544

The object of the study was to evaluate the association between cholesterol levels and the prevalence of dementia. At the start of the study a total of 1,051 individuals aged 65 years or over were assessed for dementia and again after three years.

The study found:
(a) After one year, individuals with dementia had significantly lower cholesterol levels and significantly lower levels of  high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol compared with individuals without dementia.
(b) After three years, individuals newly diagnosed with dementia had significantly lower cholesterol levels and significantly lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol compared with individuals without dementia.

The results of the study demonstrate that low cholesterol levels and low levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with higher rates of dementia.