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Weird, A study published in Neurology by researchers associated with the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, found a surprising association between higher cholesterol levels in older adults and a reduced risk of dementia. Researchers followed 392 participants from age 70 to 88, examining their cholesterol levels and cognitive health over 18 years. Participants with total cholesterol levels between 311 and 442 mg/dL at age 70 had a 69% lower estimated hazard of developing dementia compared with those in the lowest cholesterol group. Similarly, participants with cholesterol levels between 272 and 359 mg/dL at age 75 had an 80% lower estimated hazard.Interestingly, the researchers found that higher total cholesterol levels in late life were associated with a lower risk of dementia, contrasting with earlier research linking elevated cholesterol in midlife to increased dementia risk. The researchers suggested that the timing of cholesterol measurements relative to aging and the onset of dementia could help explain these conflicting findings. Triglyceride levels showed no significant association with dementia risk. PMID: 15911792