Plasma Cholesterol Levels as Potential Nutritional Biomarkers for Lewy Body Dementia

Abstract

Background: The relationship between cholesterol level and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease has been well established, but the relationship between cholesterol level and Lewy body dementia (LBD) is still not well known. Objective: The aim of this case-control study was to explore the association between blood cholesterol levels and LBD in Chinese older adults. Methods: A total of 65 patients with LBD and 110 older adult controls were enrolled during the study period. The levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and fasting glucose were measured separately. The associations between LBD, blood cholesterol levels, and fasting glucose levels were assessed using multiple binary logistic regression analyses adjusted for multiple covariates. Results: Increased plasma LDL-C levels and lower HDL-C levels were independently associated with the risk of LBD in models adjusted for age, sex, education, alcohol use status, smoking status, and vascular disorders. Higher fasting glucose levels may be associated with the risk of LBD. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that elevated levels of LDL-C and reduced levels of HDL-C were associated with LBD development and therefore are potential nutritional risk factors for LBD. Adjusting diet and individualized and effective cholesterol-lowering therapy in high-risk adults may aid in the prevention or management of LBD.