The Role of High-Density Lipoprotein in Lowering Risk of Dementia in the Elderly: A Review

Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and hospitalization in the elderly. As far as non-invasive markers of dementia are concerned, we only have age and Apolipoprotein-E (Apo-E) gene, which can be considered as clinically relevant. Modifiable risk factors have been found to be the cause in one-third of the patients who develop dementia. The compatible data supporting the same, in particular for dyslipidemia, is limited, which in turn makes it difficult to devise prevention and interventional methods for both dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Hence, the objective of the review is to summarize the findings on the relation established between the high-density lipoprotein type C( HDL-C) levels and lower the chance of dementia in the elderly, and the possible role of HDL-C as a potential predictive biomarker for cases of dementia in elderly people. Dyslipidemia, a known risk factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, seems to be linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Elevated levels of serum cholesterol in mid-adult life increases the risk of dementia in older age. But elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level and its principal apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I ) equates with a low risk of dementia in the elderly population HDL cholesterol has been found to promote endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity which in turn reduces the neural and vascular inflammation and suppresses vascular adhesion thereby exhibiting its vasoprotective function. It has been believed that all these factors have a role to play in the pathogenesis of dementia. The relation between the higher levels of HDL cholesterol or its key protein component ApoA-I and the lower dementia prevalence in the elderly had been documented in numerous observational studies. Some studies have reported conflicting results. Yet, observational studies measuring the baseline HDL level in middle age found a significant association between HDL level and dementia risk in the elderly, whereas those studies measuring HDL cholesterol level only in old age found no association. Likewise, a significant association between HDL cholesterol and dementia risk has been reported with studies that carry through to 10 years or longer. However, the studies with follow-up of fewer than 10 years had failed to document any such association between HDL cholesterol and dementia. HDL assays may also be used as a predictive biomarker for dementia patients to target the interventions. Although statins do not target HDL directly but can be an area of interest for dementia.