Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): High cholesterol is associated with lower Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. The epsilon 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene that encodes the major brain lipid carrier and metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, were identified as AD risk factors, suggesting that abnormal lipid metabolism could influence the progression of the disease. Additionally, lowering cholesterol is associated with reduced central nervous system (CNS) amyloid deposition and increased dietary cholesterol increases amyloid accumulation in animal studies.Method154 outpatients with the diagnosis of AD conforming to criteria proposed by NINCDS‐ADRDA (2011), followed‐up at a public university hospital, had their cholesterol levels assessed and MMSE scores evaluated.Results90 patients (58,44%) presented high cholesterol (total cholesterol level ≥ 190 mg/dL and/or LDL level ≥ 130 mg/dL) and 64 patients (41,56%) presented cholesterol normal range (total cholesterol level < 190 mg/d L and/or LDL level < 130 mg/dL). From the high cholesterol group, 10 patients (11,11%) presented severe cognitive impairment (MMSE < 10), 50 patients (55,55%) presented moderate cognitive impairment (MMSE = 10 – 20) and 30 patients (33,34%) presented mild cognitive impairment (MMSE > 20). From the cholesterol normal range group, 5 patients (7,81%) presented severe cognitive impairment, 19 patients (29,69%) presented moderate cognitive impairment and 40 patients (62,5%) presented mild cognitive impairment. Both groups, high cholesterol and cholesterol normal range, had on average the same educational level: 2,91 and 3,42 years, respectively.ConclusionIn this sample of patients with AD, high cholesterol is associated with lower MMSE scores when compared to cholesterol normal range.