Doctor concludes LDL cholesterol may be required to maintain or support memory function

This study was published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease 2013;34(1):273-9

Study title and authors:
Very old adults with better memory function have higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and lower triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios: KOCOA Project.

Katsumata Y, Todoriki H, Higashiuesato Y, Yasura S, Ohya Y, Willcox DC, Dodge HH.
Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. katsumat@ohsu.edu

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23207484

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels and memory function. The study included 193 participants, aged 80 and older.

Regarding LDL cholesterol levels, the study found those with better memory function had significantly higher LDL cholesterol levels.

Dr Katsumata concluded: "LDL cholesterol, especially large, buoyant LDL may be required to maintain or support memory function among older people."

Links to other studies:
High cholesterol levels boost memory function
Low cholesterol levels associated with slow mental processing in students
High cholesterol levels are associated with higher intelligence