Association between remnant cholesterol and verbal learning and memory function in the elderly in the US

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Remnant cholesterol (RC) is increasingly linked to cardiovascular risk.
• The association between RC and cognitive function, specifically verbal learning and memory, remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between remnant cholesterol (RC) and verbal learning and memory performance in older adults.
• To examine the association of the total cholesterol/RC ratio with cognitive function.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014.
• Included participants aged ≥60 years with available fasting lipid data.
• Assessed verbal learning and memory using the CERAD Word List Memory Task; calculated RC and TC/RC ratio; employed multivariate ordinal logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Analysis included 1377 participants.
• Higher RC levels were associated with lower verbal learning and memory scores (higher RC quartiles linked to lower CERAD scores).
• A higher TC/RC ratio was associated with better verbal learning and memory function (higher TC/RC quartile linked to higher CERAD scores).

Conclusions:

• Lower remnant cholesterol (RC) levels and a higher TC/RC ratio correlate with enhanced verbal learning and memory.
• These findings suggest that managing RC levels may be a potential strategy for preventing cognitive impairment in the elderly.
• Further research is warranted to confirm the causal relationship between RC, the TC/RC ratio, and cognitive health.