Alzheimer's Disease Connected to Cholesterol Levels

Geo Beats 2014-01-03

Views 36

According to a study from researchers at the University of California, Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center, working with UC Berkeley and the University of Southern California, cholesterol levels might be connected to the onset of Alzheimer’s.

According to a study from researchers at the University of California, Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center, working with UC Berkeley and the University of Southern California cholesterol levels might be connected to the onset of Alzheimer’s.

The study involved PET Imaging brain scans from 74 patients at stroke clinics and retirement homes who did not suffer from dementia, but more than half showed signs of “mild cognitive impairment”.

The researchers were looking for amyloid plaque, a protein build-up in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

They compared the amount of amyloid plaque with the levels of both LDL and HDL cholesterol in each patient.

Doctor Bruce Reed, a professor of neurology at the Alzheimer’s Disease Center said: “Unhealthy patterns of cholesterol could be directly causing higher levels of amyloid known to contribute to Alzheimer’s, in the same way that such patterns promote heart disease.”

The results of the study show that having higher levels of the healthy HDL cholesterol and lower levels of LDL cholesterol is important for a healthy body and mind.

According to the study authors, further study is needed to determine if cholesterol medication can help with brain function.

Share This Video


Download

  
Report form