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Cholesterol linked to the loss of memory in middle age
- Article from:
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Yorkshire Post
- Article date:
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July 1, 2008
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Copyright informationCopyright 2008 Yorkshire Post. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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A lack of "good" cholesterol in middle age may increase the risk
of memory loss and Alzheimer's, research suggests.
The link between high density lipoprotein (HDL) - or "good"
cholesterol - and dementia emerged from a study of 3,673 civil
servants.
Scientists found that participants with low levels of HDL were
more likely to suffer memory decline by the age of 60.
Unlike low density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol, HDL
protects against narrowing of the arteries and heart disease.
HDL helps to clear excess cholesterol from the blood, and assists
the maturation of nerve cell synapses. These are the junction points
where different neurons communicate, and are important to memory.
Another ...