Higher HDL cholesterol is associated with better cognitive function: the Maine-Syracuse study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Limited research exists on the specific associations between different cholesterol subcategories and cognitive function.
• Cardiovascular risk factors, including cholesterol levels, are potential influences on cognitive health in aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationships between total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and triglyceride levels with various cognitive performance domains.
• To explore these associations in older adults within the community-based Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 540 participants aged 60-98, free of dementia and stroke.
• Assessment of TC, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels.
• Comprehensive neuropsychological testing across multiple cognitive domains, including memory, reasoning, and a global composite score.

Main Results:

• Significant positive associations were found between HDL-cholesterol and a Global Composite cognitive score, Working Memory, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
• Individuals with desirable HDL levels (≥60 mg/dL) demonstrated the highest cognitive scores across all assessed domains.
• No significant associations were observed between total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, or triglyceride levels and cognitive performance.

Conclusions:

• HDL-cholesterol is positively associated with cognitive abilities, including working memory and general cognitive function, in older adults, even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.
• The lack of association with TC, LDL, and triglycerides may suggest a survival bias in older populations.
• Further longitudinal studies are recommended to elucidate the complex relationships between specific cholesterol subfractions and distinct cognitive functions over time.