Association of higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in elderly individuals and lower risk of late-onset Alzheimer disease

Arch Neurol. 2010 Dec;67(12):1491-7. doi: 10.1001/archneurol.2010.297.

Abstract

Objective: To reexamine the association of lipid levels with Alzheimer disease (AD) using Cox proportional hazards models.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Northern Manhattan, New York.

Participants: One thousand one hundred thirty elderly individuals free of cognitive impairment at baseline.

Main outcome measure: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.

Results: Higher levels of HDL-C (>55 mg/dL) were associated with a decreased risk of both probable and possible AD and probable AD compared with lower HDL-C levels (hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.9; P = .03 and hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.9; P = .03). In addition, higher levels of total and non-HDL-C were associated with a decreased risk of AD in analyses adjusting for age, sex, education, ethnic group, and APOE e4 genotype.

Conclusion: High HDL-C levels in elderly individuals may be associated with a decreased risk of AD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / complications
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Cholesterol, LDL / metabolism
  • Cognition Disorders / complications
  • Cognition Disorders / metabolism
  • Cohort Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Lipoproteins, HDL