Ignoring cholesterol, glucose levels at 35 may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease: Study

Although high LDL has been consistently associated with AD risk in many previous studies, the link between HDL and AD was inconclusive

Boston: A new research conducted by the Boston University of School and Medicine has revealed that lower high-density cholesterol (HDL) and high triglyceride levels measured in the blood as early as age 35 are associated with a higher incidence of AD in the future.

The story was published in the journal, ‘Alzheimer's & Dementia`.

"While our findings confirm other studies that linked cholesterol and glucose levels measured in blood with future risk of Alzheimer`s disease, we have shown for the first time that these associations extend much earlier in life than previously thought," explained senior author Lindsay A. Farrer, PhD, chief of biomedical genetics at BUSM.

The researchers believed that although high LDL has been consistently associated with AD risk in many previous studies, the link between HDL and AD was inconclusive, perhaps because most studies examining these relationships were conducted in persons who were 55 years and older at baseline.

This study was conducted using data obtained from participants of the Framingham Heart Study who were examined in approximately four-year intervals throughout most of their adult lives.