Scientists have found out what can protect against Alzheimer's disease

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High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) – molecules that transport cholesterol through blood vessels – reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. But this is far from all that they are useful. Recently, scientists from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USA) discovered another important property of these particles.

They presented the results of their work in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. The researchers recruited 180 healthy participants over the age of 60 (the average age of respondents was about 77) and analyzed samples of their blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.

Scientists were especially interested in the small particles of HDL present in them. A group of 141 participants also completed a series of cognitive tests. Those respondents who had higher levels of these particles performed better, regardless of their age, gender, education or whether they had a gene that puts them at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers concluded that greater the amount of small HDL particles in the cerebrospinal fluid is associated with two key indicators that they may have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease. The first is higher performance in cognitive tests. The second is a higher level of a special peptide, writes EurekAlert.

Scientists note: HDL particles support brain health in several directions. In particular, they help form the membranes that insulate the brain and nerve cells, play an important role in the growth and repair of neurons. In addition, they prevent inflammation of the barrier between the brain and the circulatory system, which can lead to cognitive decline. “We still need to understand the mechanisms that contribute to the production of these particles,” says one of the authors of the study, Husein Yasin, MD.