A recent study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry reveals that low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are associated with a reduced risk of dementia, including Alzheimer disease-related dementia (ADRD). Conducted by Minwoo Lee, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues from Hallym University College of Medicine, South Korea, the retrospective study analyzed data from 108,980 propensity score-matched patients across 11 university hospitals.
The study found that patients with LDL-C levels below 70 mg/dL had a 26% lower risk of developing all-cause dementia and a 28% lower risk of ADRD compared to those with LDL-C levels above 130 mg/dL. A further reduction in risk (18%) was observed for both outcomes in patients with LDL-C levels below 55 mg/dL. Additionally, statin therapy was linked to a 13% reduction in the risk for all-cause dementia and a 12% reduction in ADRD.
The authors emphasize the significance of managing LDL-C levels in reducing dementia risk and suggest that strategies targeting both cardiovascular and cognitive health are essential in clinical practice.
