This study was published in the Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging 2016;20(3):280-7
Study title and authors:
Serum Cholesterol Levels within the High Normal Range Are Associated with Better Cognitive Performance among Chinese Elderly.
Lv YB, Yin ZX, Chei CL, Brasher MS, Zhang J, Kraus VB, Qian F, Shi XM, Matchar DB, Zeng Y.
Dr. Xiaoming Shi, No. 7 Pan Jia Yuan Nan Li, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China.
This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26892577
The purpose of the study is to investigate the association of cholesterol levels with cognitive performance among the elderly. The study included a total of 2,000 elderly aged 65 years and over (average age 85.8 years).
The study found:
(a) Those with the highest cholesterol levels had a 27% decreased risk of cognitive impairment compared with those with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(b) Those with the highest levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol had a 19% decreased risk of cognitive impairment compared with those with the lowest levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
(c) Those with the highest levels of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol had a 19% decreased risk of cognitive impairment compared with those with the lowest levels of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Dr Xiaoming Shi concluded: "Low cholesterol may serve a clinical indicator of risk for cognitive impairment in the elderly."
Links to other studies:
High cholesterol levels are associated with higher intelligence
High cholesterol levels boost memory function
Doctor concludes LDL cholesterol may be required to maintain or support memory function
