Work

Current Serum Lipoprotein Levels and fMRI Response to Working Memory in Midlife

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: AIMS: Given that high cholesterol levels at midlife are a risk factor for future cognitive decline, the goal of the current study was to determine if cholesterol-related alterations in the cerebrovascular response to cognition could be detected at midlife. METHODS: Forty adults, aged 40-60 years, performed a 2-Back working memory task during fMRI. The associations between serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol concentrations to task-related activation intensity were modeled using multivariate multiple regression (two-tailed p < 0.02). RESULTS: Higher levels of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol related to reduced working memory-related activation intensity in the left inferior parietal lobe, right superior frontal gyrus, and right middle frontal gyrus. CONCLUSION: These data provide preliminary support for a deleterious effect of elevated total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio on cerebrovascular support for cognition in midlife.

Source: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders

DOI: 10.1159/000324713

Authors: Mitzi M. Gonzales, Takashi Tarumi, Danielle E. Eagan, Hirofumi Tanaka, Fedora O. Biney, Andreana P. Haley

Institution: The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Nursing Research