Casting for the Cure

A new study from the UK suggests that low levels of the “good” HDL cholesterol is linked to poor memory, and decline in memory, in middle aged adults.

The study is the work of researchers at University College, London, and is published in the 30th June issue of the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology journal of the American Heart Association.

The authors examined the relationship between fasting levels of blood fats and short term verbal memory in 3,673 male and female middle aged adults who were taking part in the Whitehall II longitudinal study.

Blood samples were taken at two measuring points: at mean age 55 and mean age 61, and tested for lipid or blood fat levels, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. The participants also completed short term memory tests at the two measuring points.

Whitehall II is a prospective study that started in 1985 and has been following over 10,000 male and female London-based members of the British Civil Service. The participants have regular clinical exams and periodically fill in questionnaires.

Using a statistical test called logistical regression, the researchers then looked for significant links between levels of HDL-C and memory deficit and decline. Memory deficit was defined as not being able to recall more than 4 words, and deficit was not being able to recall more than 2 words, from a list of 20.

High HDL-C was defined as being equal to or above 60 mg/dL or more, and low HDL-C was below 40 mg/dL.

The results were adjusted to take into account possible confounding factors, including education, job level, coronary heart disease, stroke, blood pressure, medications, diabetes, smoking and alcohol use.