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Excessive-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” ldl cholesterol, could play a significant position in conserving wholesome mind matter in middle-aged adults, UT Southwestern Medical Middle researchers report. The findings, revealed within the Journal of Medical Medication, might give docs and sufferers extra perception into elements that have an effect on cognitive well being in getting old adults.
“Our study has identified a novel role of HDL cholesterol function in maintaining gray matter volume in the brain, which is important for cognitive function in middle-aged adults,” stated the examine’s first creator, John Giacona, Ph.D., PA-C, Assistant Professor of Utilized Medical Analysis and Inside Medication within the College of Well being Professions at UT Southwestern.
“Our study was the first to investigate for a potential link between HDL function and brain volume.”
To find out whether or not there was a hyperlink, the researchers assessed 1,826 individuals between the ages of 35 and 70 enrolled within the multi-ethnic, population-based Dallas Coronary heart Research, a longitudinal examine now in its twenty fifth yr.
First, fasting lipoprotein concentrations had been assessed utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance. Individuals had been then examined for cognitive operate, and their mind matter quantity was measured utilizing mind magnetic resonance imaging. Preliminary assessments occurred between 2000 and 2002, and individuals had been reassessed between 2007 and 2009.
Anand Rohatgi, M.D., Professor of Inside Medication within the Division of Cardiology, and his workforce at UTSW’s Medical Coronary heart and Vascular Middle measured HDL operate on this examine. Their findings revealed that larger concentrations of small-particle HDL, however not bigger particles or complete HDL focus, had been linked with higher grey matter quantity and better cognitive capability.
“Previous research has shown conflicting evidence regarding the concentration of HDL cholesterol in development of dementia or brain atrophy,” stated senior creator Wanpen Vongpatanasin, M.D., Professor of Inside Medication and Director of the Hypertension Part within the Division of Cardiology at UTSW. “However, the concentration of HDL cholesterol may not reflect their function.”
HDL decreases the quantity of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” ldl cholesterol, in blood vessels by transporting the surplus to the liver, the place it will get damaged down. “In addition, HDL particles exist in many sizes, which may be linked to their function,” Dr. Vongpatanasin stated.
“We now need to understand exactly how the small HDL particle, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, may have a beneficial role in maintaining brain health.”
This discovering led the researchers to notice that HDL ldl cholesterol operate or ranges of small HDL particles could also be used as markers for a inhabitants vulnerable to growing cognitive decline, although extra research could be required to verify the connection.
Drs. Giacona and Vongpatanasin credit score UTSW’s multidisciplinary collaboration for the examine’s success.
“Our unified focus on heart and brain health fosters multidisciplinary collaboration among the Cardiology, Neurology, and Advanced Imaging Research Center departments,” stated Dr. Giacona, who can be an authorized Hypertension Specialist on the Medical Coronary heart and Vascular Middle as a member of the Hypertension Part. He stated this analysis “has extended the potential beneficial role of HDL cholesterol efflux function to the brain.”
Ldl cholesterol efflux is the flexibility of HDL to “scoop up” ldl cholesterol particles from plaques within the coronary heart’s blood vessels and transfer these particles to the liver for disposal.
Extra data:
John M. Giacona et al, Associations Between Excessive-Density Lipoprotein Ldl cholesterol Efflux and Mind Gray Matter Quantity, Journal of Medical Medication (2024). DOI: 10.3390/jcm13206218
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UT Southwestern Medical Middle
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Research reveals ‘good’ ldl cholesterol could shield in opposition to mind atrophy, dementia (2025, January 3)
retrieved 4 January 2025
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