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Scientists find cholesterol 'link' to Alzheimer's
Scientists believe levels of unhealthy cholesterol are linked to one of the key brain signatures of Alzheimer's. Relative amounts of "good" and "bad" cholesterol in the blood influence the build-up of harmful protein deposits, a US study has found.
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Expert: 'Keep cholesterol down' to avoid Alzheimer's
Evidence is mounting that a healthy a diet and regular exercise could ward off Alzheimer's disease in later life, a leading health charity has said.
Dr Laura Phipps, from the British charity Alzheimer's Research UK, urged people to "keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check" if they were worried about dementia.
Effect of bad cholesterol in heart 'mirrored in brain'
Scientists trying to understand the link between cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease believe the effect cholesterol has on the heart may be mirrored in the brain.
A US study found harmful protein deposits in the brain called beta amyloid plaques were influenced by "good" and "bad" cholesterol.
Experts draw a sharp distinction between "good" cholesterol, or high density lipoprotein (HDL) and its evil twin - low density lipoprotein (LDL).
While high levels of LDL can lead to narrowed arteries and heart disease, HDL is protective.
Study leader professor Bruce Reed, from the University of California at Davis explained: "Unhealthy patterns of cholesterol could be directly causing the higher levels of amyloid known to contribute to Alzheimer's, in the same way that such patterns promote heart disease."