Cholesterol levels, particularly those that fluctuate over time, may play a significant role in the risk of developing dementia, according to a new study involving over 10,000 participants.
Researchers found that large swings in cholesterol levels over several years were associated with a 60 per cent higher chance of dementia and a 23 per cent higher risk of general cognitive decline, regardless of initial cholesterol levels.
“Those experiencing big year-to-year variations may warrant closer monitoring and proactive preventive interventions,” said Dr. Zhen Zhou, lead author of the study and a researcher at Monash University in Australia.
“Bad” cholesterol fluctuations pose higher Dementia risk
The study primarily examined fluctuations in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad cholesterol,” which has been linked to cardiovascular disease in previous research.
The findings suggest that people with highly variable LDL levels face a greater risk of cognitive decline than those with stable levels, although similar fluctuations in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good cholesterol,” did not appear to affect cognitive risk.
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In the United States, more than one in four individuals has high LDL cholesterol, defined as over 130 mg per deciliter of blood. The optimal LDL level is under 100 mg per deciliter, especially for individuals with underlying conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
While the exact mechanism linking cholesterol swings to dementia is not fully understood, one theory suggests that fluctuating LDL levels may destabilise atherosclerotic plaques—cholesterol and other deposits that accumulate in the arteries.
“This destabilisation can raise the risk of plaque growth, rupture, and obstruct blood flow to the brain, potentially impacting brain function,” Zhou explained.
At the beginning of the study, none of the participants, all in their 70s from Australia and the US, had dementia. Over the six-year period, 5 per cent of participants developed dementia, and nearly 18 per cent showed signs of cognitive decline. Those with stable cholesterol levels exhibited a significantly lower risk of both neurological conditions.
Globally, elevated LDL cholesterol was linked to 3.72 million deaths in 2021. Health experts advise regular cholesterol checks, which can be managed through lifestyle adjustments such as increased physical activity, reduced alcohol consumption, and dietary changes.
