Low HDL cholesterol levels may cause decline in memory, a new study suggests

The U.K ‘s scientists found that a link between low levels of the “good” HDL and poor memory as their study suggests that low levels of HDL cholesterol causes decline in memory among middle aged adults.

The study was conducted by the researchers of University College, London and it was published in the 30th June issue of a journal of the American Heart Association named, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

3,673, middle aged male and female, were examined by the researchers who focused on testing high levels of blood fats and short term verbal memory. The participants were taking part in the Whitehall II longitudinal study.

The blood samples of the participants were taken at mean age 55 and mean age 61, and lipid and blood fat levels like total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides were tested by the scientist. The short term memory tests were also made in them.

Then the researchers looked for considerable links between HDL-C levels and memory deficit and decline. The Scientists settled memory deficit standard was not to be able to recall more than 4 words while declined was defined as not being able to recall more than 2 words from a 20 words list.

While cholesterol level of 60 mg/dl was defined as high HDL-C while 40 mg/dL as low HDL-C.

Possible confronting factors like education, job levels, coronary heart disease, smoking and alcohol use, diabetes and stroke were also taken into account to adjust the results.

It was concluded by the authors of the study that low HDL-C levels have links with poor memory and decline in memory among middle aged people.