title: Characterization of the lipid profile in dementia and depression in the elderly.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine the association of plasma lipid concentrations with changes in cognitive function and depressive states in elderly Greek individuals. The study population consisted of 3 groups: A) 37 subjects with dementia, B) 33 subjects with depression, and C) 33 controls. All individuals were screened with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and an evaluation of their psychiatric state. Lipid profile was assessed in all subjects, and the results were statistically evaluated at P < .05 level of significance. Groups A and B had significantly lower levels of total plasma cholesterol and HDL cholesterol than group C (P < .01). Triglyceride levels did not differ significantly between groups A and C, although they were significantly higher in group B. The results of this study suggest that an association does exist between the plasma concentration of cholesterol and HDL-C and depression and/or cognitive impairment. Further studies are required to explore the significance of these observations and establish if lipid levels could serve as markers for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
authors: Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Dimopoulos
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Piperi
authors: Aristea
authors: A
authors: Salonicioti
authors: Vassiliki
authors: V
authors: Psarra
authors: Charalampos
authors: C
authors: Mitsonis
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Liappas
authors: Robert W
authors: RW
authors: Lea
authors: Anastasios
authors: A
authors: Kalofoutis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003071:Cognition; D003704:Dementia / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol