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

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.