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01-04-2019 | Original Article

Increases in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein associated with decreased cognitive performance in healthy elderly adults

Authors: Con Stough, Andrew Pipingas, David Camfield, Karen Nolidin, Karen Savage, Saurenne Deleuil, Andrew Scholey

Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

The current study examined associations between blood lipid profiles and cognitive functioning using a healthy non-demented elderly sample. The sample comprised 196 healthy volunteers (male; 86: female 110) aged 60–75 years from the Australian Research Council Longevity Intervention (ARCLI) study cohort. Serum total cholesterol (T-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and triglycerides (TGL) were collected, and participants completed the Swinburne University Computerized Cognitive Assessment Battery (SUCCAB). In line with prediction, higher levels of T-C and LDL-c were found to be associated with impaired speeds of response in tasks assessing recognition memory, working memory and inhibitory processing. However, contrary to prediction both TGL and HDL-c were found to be unrelated to cognitive functioning in the current sample. It is suggested that frontal lobe function may be differentially sensitive to the effects of T-C and LDL-c accumulation during the aging process. Future data collection as part of the larger ARCLI intervention study will provide important follow-up data regarding the ability of the baseline blood lipid data to predict subsequent cognitive change.

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Title: Increases in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein associated with decreased cognitive performance in healthy elderly adults
Authors: Con Stough
Andrew Pipingas
David Camfield
Karen Nolidin
Karen Savage
Saurenne Deleuil
Andrew Scholey
Publication date: 01-04-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0885-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7365
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-018-0373-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Increases in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein associated with decreased cognitive performance in healthy elderly adults

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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