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Total serum cholesterol levels and Alzheimer's dementia in patients with down syndrome
Author(s) -
Prasher V. P.,
Airuehia E.,
Patel A.,
Haque M. S.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.2014
Subject(s) - dementia , apolipoprotein e , medicine , cholesterol , risk factor , endocrinology , population , alzheimer's disease , down syndrome , apolipoprotein b , disease , psychiatry , environmental health
Background The risk for dementia in Alzheimer's disease (DAD) in adults with Down syndrome (DS) is higher than in the general adult population. Hypercholesterolaemia has been reported as a risk factor for DAD in the general population. This study investigated the role of serum cholesterol levels in the onset of DAD in the DS population. Methods This study investigated total serum cholesterol levels in 179 DS persons (with and without DAD). The possible association between Apolipoprotein E and amyloid β 1‐40 and β 1‐42 levels was also investigated. Results No statistically significant association was found between total serum cholesterol levels and dementia in AD or with amyloid β levels. However for DS adults with an apoE ε 4 allele significantly higher serum cholesterol levels were found. Conclusion Hypercholesterolaemia is not a risk factor for DAD in persons with DS. However, DS persons with an apoE ε 4 allele are susceptible to high serum cholesterol. Such individuals should be screened on a regular basis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.