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PARIS: So-called good cholesterol, known by its initials as HDL-C,
plays an important role in keeping sharp memory in later life,
according to a study published Monday.
A French-led team looked at cholesterol levels
and memory deficit among 3,673 male and female civil servants, who
were assessed when they reached the age of 55 and again when they
reached 61.
Low levels of HDL-C (40 milligrams per deciliter
or less) were associated with greater risks of a memory gap in both
assessments, when compared with high levels (60mg/dL or more) of
this lipo-protein.
The test comprised the ability to recall the
maximum number of words in a 20-word list.
“HDL-C levels are potentially modifiable, and
our results show that low HDL-C is associated with poor memory and
decline in memory in middle-aged adults,” the study said.
The paper appears in the US journal
Ateriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, published by the
American Heart Association. Lead author is Archana Singh-Manoux of
the National Institute for Health and Medical Research.
Cholesterol is notoriously implicated in
cardiovascular disease, notably when there are high levels of
“bad” cholesterol, or LDL-C, compared with levels of HDL-C.
-- AFP
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