A new study suggests a link between HDL cholesterol particle size and greater gray matter volume in the brain, raising the possibility that HDL cholesterol plays a role in cognitive function.
Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing health and wellness content. A new study underscores that HDL, or “good” cholesterol, may play a direct role in cognitive function . The research specifically found a link between HDL particle size and greater gray matter volume on brain scans. However, experts said more research is necessary to determine the connection between HDL and brain health .
When you hear the word “cholesterol,” you probably think about cardiovascular health. After all, cholesterol has long been associated with clogged arteries and heart attacks. This study extended the benefits of HDL beyond reducing cardiovascular disease to also potentially preserving gray matter and preventing brain atrophy in late life,” said study co-author A. Giacona, PhD. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is often referred to as “good” cholesterol because it helps clear excess cholesterol and lipids from the bloodstream. “It travels around the body in the bloodstream and scoops up cholesterol and lipids that have been deposited in peripheral tissues such as the coronary arteries, aorta, and any kind of blood vessel,” Giacona said. HDL then carries it to the liver, which will break it down and flush it from the body. In recent years, scientists have begun learning more about HDL function, or “efflux capacity,” which is how well it can perform its role in clearing cholesterol. While traditional lipid panels can determine how much HDL you have, they don’t reveal how well it functions. Scientists know that having more total HDL doesn’t affect functionality, Giacona said, but they are still exploring the factors that do. Research has suggested that HDL particle size may play a role.To learn about how HDL particle size affects the brain, researchers tracked HDL levels, function, and particle size in over 1,800 adults ages 35 to 70 over seven years. They also tested participants’ cognitive function and measured brain matter volume via brain magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, at the beginning and end of the study. “Higher HDL function and smaller HDL particle size were linked with greater gray matter volume and cognitive capacity in later life,” Giacona said. Gray matter is brain tissue that plays a role in cognitive function, memories, and movement. Some studies have found that higher volume is associated with greater cognitive function. This study suggests that small-particle HDL might help maintain this gray matter by crossing the blood-brain barrier to support brain function and protect against atrophy. The research echoes another paper that found that a higher concentration of small particle HDL was associated with better cognitive performance in midlife women (though that study didn’t include brain scans).It’s difficult to pinpoint whether HDL—or external factors—are responsible for preserving gray matter volume. While the researchers tested participants twice within seven years, Pascual-Leone said this isn’t enough data to observe a pattern because gray matter volume change in individuals isn’t always linear. Additionally, while a helpful marker, gray matter isn’t a perfect predictor of cognitive health. “Gray matter volume changes depending on a number of things, including hydration,” said. “When we want to look at memory problems in the older population, we tend to look at specific areas of the brain rather than the entire brain matter.” To better understand the connection, future research should focus on specific brain regions and explore how HDL function directly influences cognitive outcomes.Despite the uncertainty around HDL’s influence on cognition, the link between vascular health—which is affected by both HDL and LDL levels—and brain health is well established. “If you have cardiovascular disease, that’s going to affect your nutrient support to the brain,” Pascual-Leone said. “If you optimize the vascular function, you’re going to—in the presence of another illness—still be able to function better than expected.”Masdeu recommended that anyone concerned about Alzheimer’s prevention follow the Mediterranean diet or a similar eating pattern, while Giacona advised people to follow the American Heart Association guidelines for cholesterol management.
HDL Cholesterol Brain Health Cognitive Function Gray Matter Cardiovascular Health
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