Relation of plasma lipids to Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia.
BACKGROUND
The relation between plasma lipid levels and Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), and the impact of drugs to lower lipid levels remains unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between plasma lipid levels and the risk of AD and VaD and the impact of drugs to lower lipid levels on this relationship.


METHODS
Cross-sectional and prospective community-based cohort studies.


METHODS
Random sample of 4316 Medicare recipients, 65 years and older, residing in northern Manhattan, NY.


METHODS
Vascular dementia and AD according to standard criteria.


RESULTS
Elevated levels of non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and decreased levels of HDL-C were weak risk factors for VaD in either cross-sectional or prospective analyses. Higher levels of total cholesterol were associated with a decreased risk of incident AD after adjustment for demographics, apolipoprotein E genotype, and cardiovascular risk factors. Treatment with drugs to lower lipid levels did not change the disease risk of either disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a weak relation between non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels and the risk of VaD. Lipid levels and the use of agents to lower them do not seem to be associated with the risk of AD.
Reitz
Christiane
C
Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
Tang
Ming-Xin
MX
Luchsinger
Jose
J
Mayeux
Richard
R
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids