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. 2011;31(4):259-67.
doi: 10.1159/000324713. Epub 2011 Apr 13.

Current serum lipoprotein levels and FMRI response to working memory in midlife

Mitzi M Gonzales  1 , Takashi Tarumi, Danielle E Eagan, Hirofumi Tanaka, Fedora O Biney, Andreana P Haley
Affiliations

Current serum lipoprotein levels and FMRI response to working memory in midlife

Mitzi M Gonzales et al. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2011.

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.

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