title: Cholesterol and cognitive performance among community volunteers from the Czech Republic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research shows that lipid levels may be associated with cognitive function, particularly among women. We aimed to examine total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and HDL/LDL ratio in relation to cognitive performance, measured with six well-established cognitive domains and a composite cognitive score (CCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, biomarkers and neuropsychological assessment were available for 141 adults with MMSE scores ≥ 24 (mean age = 69 years, 47% female, mean education = 14.4 years) attending a neuropsychological evaluation. Ordinary least squares regressions were adjusted for age, gender, education, and depressive symptoms in Model 1 and also for apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) status in Model 2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was associated with better CCS (β = 0.24; p = 0.014). This association was significant among women (β = 0.30; p = 0.026) and not among men (β = 0.20; p = 0.124). HDL-C was also related to attention/working memory (β = 0.24; p = 0.021), again only among women (β = 0.37; p = 0.012) and not men (β = 0.15; p = 0.271). Adjusting for APOE4 yielded significance for high HDL-C and CCS (β = 0.24; p = 0.022).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HDL-C was the main lipoprotein affecting cognitive function, with results somewhat more pronounced among women. Research should investigate the possibility of finding ways to boost HDL-C levels to potentially promote cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: School of Aging Studies,University of South Florida,Tampa FL 33612,USA.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chanti-Ketterl
authors.affiliation: School of Aging Studies,University of South Florida,Tampa FL 33612,USA.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andel
authors.affiliation: Memory clinic,Department of Neurology,2nd Faculty of Medicine,Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital,Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Ondrej
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lerch
authors.affiliation: Memory clinic,Department of Neurology,2nd Faculty of Medicine,Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital,Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laczo
authors.affiliation: International Clinical Research Center,St. Anne's University Hospital,Brno,Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hort
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018153:Czech Republic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: HDL-C; cholesterol; cognition; lipoproteins; older adults