Alzheimer's Society comment on the link between high density lipoprotein and dementia

It is clearly important to have enough of this transporter available. This study shows that if there is not enough High Density Lipoprotein to transport cholesterol and other lipids around the body, it can not only increase your risk of heart disease but also affect your memory and may increase your risk of getting Alzheimer's disease.

We know that controlling cholesterol in midlife is important if you are to reduce your risk of developing vascular dementia later and this may also be important for the development of Alzheimer's disease. People should eat a healthy diet, low in salt and saturated fat and take regular exercise.

If you have high cholesterol you should also actively seek treatment from your GP to ensure you are doing everything possible to reduce your risk of dementia in later life.

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society

Reference:

Comment on "Low HDL Cholesterol Is a Risk Factor for Deficit and Decline in Memory in Midlife" The Whitehall II Study. Authors Archana Singh-Manoux, David Gimeno, Mika Kivimaki, Eric Brunner, Michael G. Marmot. The link between high density lipoprotein (HDL) - or "good" cholesterol - and  dementia emerged from a study of  3,673 civil servants.   Scientists found that participants with low levels of HDL were more likely to  suffer memory decline by the age of 60.