By David Liu, PHD

Tuesday Nov 6, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Having high serum levels may increase risk of dementia with stroke in elderly people, according to a study in the Journal of American Medical Association.

The study led by Joan T. Moroney, MD, MRCPI and colleagues found levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly correlated with an increased risk of dementia with stroke.

For the study, Moroney et al. followed a total of 1,111 nondemented participants with a mean age of 75 years for an average 2.1 years.  Total srum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoportein cholesterol, lipoproteins(a) and apolipoprotein E genotype were determined at baseline.  

During the follow-up, 286 participants developed dementia, 61 were diagnosed with dementia with stroke, and 225 with probable Alzheimer's disease.

Participants in the highest quartile of LDL cholesterol were found to be three times as likely as those in the lowest quartile of LDL cholesterol to be diagnosed with dementia with stroke after adjustment for vascular risk factors and demographic factors.

And serum levels of LDL corrected for lipoprotein(a) were even more significantly associated with risk of dementia with stroke.  Participants in the highest quartile of lipoprotein(a)–corrected LDL cholesterol were four times as likely as those in the lowest quartile to develop dementia with stroke after adjustment for confounders.

Serum levels of lipid or lipoprotein levels were not associated with the development of Alzheimer disease in the study population.

The researchers concluded "Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol were associated with the risk of dementia with stroke in elderly patients. Further study is needed to determine whether treatment of elevated LDL cholesterol levels will reduce the risk of dementia with stroke."

Statins can lower cholesterol, but can also cause side effects.  Red yeast rice is a safe alternative, which is as effectively as statins at lowering cholesterol.