Study links high cholesterol to dementia

It has been added to a list of 12 previously known risk factors including depression, smoking and loneliness

lab results showing cholesterol is high with a level of 279
Untreated vision loss was also newly identified as a risk factor
(Image credit: Ibodvar / Getty Images)

What happened

Some dementia cases could be prevented if people took action to lower their cholesterol, a study has revealed.

The research, led by University College London, identified two new factors that contribute to dementia: high cholesterol and untreated sight loss in old age. These were added to a list of 12 previously known risk factors including depression, smoking and loneliness.

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Arion McNicoll is a freelance writer at The Week Digital and was previously the UK website’s editor. He has also held senior editorial roles at CNN, The Times and The Sunday Times. Along with his writing work, he co-hosts “Today in History with The Retrospectors”, Rethink Audio’s flagship daily podcast, and is a regular panellist (and occasional stand-in host) on “The Week Unwrapped”. He is also a judge for The Publisher Podcast Awards.