HDL Cholesterol Is Independently Associated with Cognitive Function in Males But Not in Females within a Cohort of Nonagenarians: The MUGELLO Study

HDL Function across the Lifespan: From Childhood, to Pregnancy, to Old Age

The function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles has emerged as a promising therapeutic target and the measurement of HDL function is a promising diagnostic across several disease states. The vast majority of research on HDL functional biology has focused on adult participants with underlying chronic diseases, whereas limited research has investigated the role of HDL in childhood, pregnancy, and old age. Yet, it is apparent that functional HDL is essential at all life stages for maintaining health. In this review, we discuss current data regarding the role of HDL during childhood, pregnancy and in the elderly, how disturbances in HDL may lead to adverse health outcomes, and knowledge gaps in the role of HDL across these life stages.

Association between Serum Lipid Parameters and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

(1) Background: Previous studies have suggested the association between lipid profiles and cognitive function in older adults. However, they generated inconsistent results. We aim to determine the relationship between lipid profiles and cognitive performance in older adults. (2) Methods: We used the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This study included 2215 participants who were aged more than 60 years old and free of coronary heart disease or stroke. Lipid profiles included total cholesterol (TC), low density lipid cholesterol (LDL), high density lipid cholesterol (HDL), and triglyceride (TG). Cognitive function was assessed using the digit symbol substitution test (DSST). (3) Results: Positive correlations of DSST were observed with TC (r = 0.111; p < 0.0001), HDL (r = 0.127; p < 0.0001), and LDL (r = 0.107; p = 0.0005). However, there was no significant relationship between TG and DSST. A one-unit increase in HDL was associated with an increase in DSST score (beta coefficient: 0.036; p = 0.018); but the association was not significant for LDL, TG, and TC. In the categorical analysis, the high HDL group had a higher DSST score than the low HDL group (beta = 3.113; p < 0.0001) and the low TG group was more likely to show a lower DSST score than the high TC group (beta = −1.837; p = 0.0461). However, LDL and TC showed no statistically significant associations. Moreover, HDL was only associated with a 0.701 times increased risk of cognitive impairment (95% CI = 0.523–0.938) in the logistic regression analysis. (4) Conclusions: Higher blood concentrations of HDL levels were positively associated with DSST scores in older adults. We suggest that the high levels of HDL may be a protective factor against cognitive impairment.

Are serum cholesterol levels associated with cognitive impairment and depression in elderly individuals without dementia?: A retrospective cohort study in South Korea

OBJECTIVES

As aging progresses, older adults experience several health changes, including changes in cholesterol levels, which increases their risk for other diseases. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and depression, which may be due to several factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum cholesterol level and cognitive impairment and depression in older adults.

METHODS

This study used senior cohort data from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea. A total of 128 371 participants contributed repeated measures to this dataset. Cognitive impairment was measured via a self-reported questionnaire and depression was measured using claim data. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify associations between serum cholesterol level and cognitive impairment and depression, including subgroup analyses by sex.

RESULTS

There was no significant association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), or triglycerides (TG) with cognitive impairment. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment, whereas high HDL-C was associated with lower cognitive impairment. Higher LDL-C was significantly associated with lower depression. Higher TC also was significantly associated with depression.

CONCLUSION

HDL-C is associated with depressive symptoms, and may be a key factor in predicting psychiatric symptoms or cognitive decline. Our study suggest that routine health screenings may aid in the early detection of high-risk individuals.

Relationships of Lipids Profile with Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Centenarians

OBJECTIVES

With the acceleration of the process of aging population, to enjoy a higher health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is the goal of the elderly population and public health. Studies on relationship between HRQoL and lipid profile through a large sample of representative elderly population are scare.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to firstly explore the relationships of lipid profile with HRQoL in Chinese centenarian population.

PARTICIPANTS

A complete sample of 1002 participants aged over 100 years from Hainan province were recruited in the current study.

MAIN MEASURE

Questionnaire investigation, physical examination and blood specimen collection were carried out by family survey. The EuroQol-5 Dimensions(EQ-5D, and EQ-VAS were used to assess HRQoL.

RESULTS

In multivariate linear regression analyses, a significant association was found between EQ-5D and lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and similar association was also existed between EQ-VAS and TC, LDL-C HDL-C, after adjustment. The score of EQ-5D and EQ-VAS in male centenarian was higher than that of the female centenarian.

CONCLUSION

Lipid profile was positively associated with the HRQoL in Chinese centenarians.

Nutrient Patterns, Cognitive Function, and Decline in Older Persons: Results from the Three-City and NuAge Studies

Dietary patterns, or the combination of foods and beverages intake, have been associated with better cognitive function in older persons. To date, no study has investigated the link between a posteriori nutrient patterns based on food intake, and cognitive decline in longitudinal analyses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between nutrient patterns and cognitive function and decline in two longitudinal cohorts of older persons from France and Canada. The study sample was composed of participants from the Three-City study (3C, France) and the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge, Quebec, Canada). Both studies estimated nutritional intakes at baseline, and carried out repeated measures of global cognitive function for 1,388 and 1,439 individuals, respectively. Nutrient patterns were determined using principal component analysis methodology in the two samples, and their relation with cognitive function and decline was estimated using linear mixed models. In 3C, a healthy nutrient pattern, characterized by higher intakes of plant-based foods, was associated with a higher global cognitive function at baseline, as opposed to a Western nutrient pattern, which was associated with lower cognitive performance. In NuAge, we also found a healthy nutrient pattern and a Western pattern, although no association was observed with either of these patterns in the Canadian cohort. No association between any of the nutrient patterns and cognitive decline was observed in either cohort. There is a need for longitudinal cohorts focusing on nutrient patterns with substantial follow-up, in order to evaluate more accurately associations between nutrition and cognition in older persons.