2-year-old girl dies due to bird flu in Andhra

Health officials investigating the case discovered that the child had consumed a small piece of raw chicken on February 26, which they believe was the likely source of infection

A two-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh has died after contracting H5N1 bird flu, marking what appears to be the first human infection and fatality from the disease in the country since at least 2021.

The case comes amid growing international concern about H5N1 and its potential for wider transmission. While human cases remain exceedingly rare, the virus’s high mortality rate — approximately 50% in documented cases— has kept the disease on the radar of scientists around the world.

State health officials said the child, who resided in Baliah Nagar in Narasaopet town, Palnadu district, died on March 16 while receiving treatment at AIIMS-Mangalagiri. The Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) confirmed on March 24 that she had contracted bird flu, with additional confirmation from the Indian Council of Medical Research in Delhi.

Health officials investigating the case discovered that the child had consumed a small piece of raw chicken on February 26, which they believe was the likely source of infection. Family members reported that the girl occasionally ate raw chicken, a practice that significantly increases transmission risk.

“The girl developed fever and other symptoms on February 28 and was initially admitted to a local hospital,” a health department official said. “On March 4, she was transferred to AIIMS Mangalagiri after her condition worsened with acute fever, breathing difficulties and diarrhoea.”

The child’s parents have tested negative for the virus, as have all other family members, indicating the pathogen involved in this case did not jump to or from another human being – a scenario that would have otherwise been worrying. To be sure, there have been no recorded cases of human to human transmission of bird flu.

Dr T Damodar Naidu, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, stated that extensive surveillance has revealed no other cases of bird flu in Palnadu or neighbouring districts.

“We conducted physical surveillance of all poultry farms in the region and found no symptoms of bird flu among poultry,” Dr Naidu said. He emphasised that thorough cooking is crucial for prevention, noting that “the bird flu virus does not survive in temperatures above 60-70 degrees Celsius.”

The health department has deployed rapid response teams to conduct fever surveys in and around the locality where the girl lived, with no abnormal cases identified thus far. Surveillance will continue for the next two weeks, with testing organised for any suspected cases.

The Union ministry of health and family welfare has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to Andhra Pradesh to investigate and assist the state following the child’s death.

Officials from the ministry said they are closely watching the situation and believe the state is equipped to manage it.

“Human to human transmission of H5N1 virus is uncommon and the risk of any other epidemiologically-linked case being reported is assessed to be low. But, due to abundance of caution, the following public health measures have been initiated: Union health ministry has reviewed the status; the centre has deployed the National Joint Outbreak Response Team to undertake an epidemiological investigation and to assist the State,” said a senior health ministry official.

The official noted that according to data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-like illness or severe acute respiratory illness cases in the district over the past few weeks.

“AIIMS, Mangalagiri is an ICMR VRDL (Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory) that has sufficient quantities of kits and reagents for testing suspected influenza patients. Union health ministry through Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, National Centre for Disease Control, is closely monitoring the situation,” the official added.

Evolution growing concern

A highly pathogenic subtype of H5N1 was first detected in birds in China in 1996, with the first human cases appearing shortly thereafter, with most infections originating in contact with infected bords. Since then, nearly 1,000 human infections have been documented worldwide.

The statement from the Andhra Pradesh government noted that only four other cases of human avian influenza (H5N1 and H9N2) have been reported in India over the past five years: one each from Maharashtra in June 2019 and Haryana in July 2021, and two from West Bengal in April and May 2024.

In the case of H5N1, the July 2021 case was the last known infection and fatality. It involved an 11-year-old boy from Gurugram in the National Capital Region who was being treated for acute myeloid leukemia at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. The child died on July 12, 2021 after developing multiorgan dysfunction.

In that case, family interviews revealed that the child frequently visited a family-owned poultry business, suggesting possible exposure to birds with undetected infection, although no infected domestic or wild avian sources had been reported in the area at that time.

In recent days, experts have said they are tracking the virus closely. “In 2022, a new subtype of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b emerged in North America and spread to domestic poultry and many wild mammal species. Over the past year, this subtype has also been spreading in dairy cows,” professor Jeremy Luban of UMass Chan Medical School said during the Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness (MassCPR) in March.

“The virus diversified as it replicated in birds, and migratory bird species spread multiple subtypes around the planet,” Luban noted.

This expansion into new species—particularly the jump to dairy cattle—is at the heart of the concerns since they signal the virus’s adaptive capabilities. While most recent human cases have been mild and there has been no confirmed human-to-human transmission, experts have pointed to documented human-to-cat spread, suggesting humans can transmit the virus under certain conditions. No cat-to-human transmission, however, has been recorded.

Health officials continue to advise the public to cook poultry and eggs thoroughly, avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds, and practise good hand hygiene, especially after handling raw poultry products.

The Andhra Pradesh health department has urged residents to report unusual bird deaths and to seek immediate medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms after contact with birds or poultry.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/2yearold-girl-dies-due-to-bird-flu-in-andhra-101743620685706.html

WHO issues first-ever reports on tests and treatments for fungal infections

Health workers often have insufficient knowledge about fungal infections as well as the impact of fungi growing more resistant to treatments

World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first-ever reports addressing the critical lack of medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases, showing the urgent need for innovative research and development (R&D) to close these gaps.

The fungi in the top ‘critical priority’ category of the WHO’s fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) are deadly, with mortality rates reaching as high as 88%. Advancements in treatments mean that more people are likely to be living with immunocompromised conditions, which also could mean increases in cases of invasive fungal diseases. This is a complex challenge to manage due to inaccessibility of diagnostic tools, limited availability of antifungal medicines, and a slow and complex R&D process for new treatments.

WHO’s report on antifungal drugs highlights that, in the past decade, only four new antifungal drugs have been approved by regulatory authorities in the United States of America, the European Union or China. Currently, nine antifungal medicines are in clinical development to use against the most health-threatening fungi, as detailed in the FPPL.

However, only three candidates are in phase 3, the final stage of clinical development, meaning few approvals are expected within the next decade.

The new diagnostics report shows that while commercially available tests exist for fungal priority pathogens, these rely on well-equipped laboratories and trained staff, which means that most people in in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not benefit from them. All countries, but particularly LMICs, need faster, more accurate, cheaper and easier testing for a broad range of fungal priority pathogens, including diagnostic tools that can be used at or near point-of-care.

https://www.biospectrumindia.com/news/57/25926/who-issues-first-ever-reports-on-tests-and-treatments-for-fungal-infections.html

Cyanocobalamin safe, Vitamin B12 deficiency may impact brain, joints, skin health: Experts

Experts have definitively addressed concerns about Cyanocobalamin's safety in vitamin supplements. Social media claims suggesting the vitamin is toxic have been scientifically refuted by medical professionals. The synthetic form of Vitamin B12 contains negligible cyanide amounts that pose no health risk when consumed as directed. Critically, B12 deficiency can lead to severe neurological issues, making proper supplementation essential for overall health.

"The amount of cyanide produced is so small it presents no threat to humans" - Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan

Amid social media debate on Cyanocobalamin, a synthetic form of Vitamin B12, being toxic for humans, experts on Wednesday deemed Cyanocobalamin safe, and stressed the need to not miss the key vitamin linked to the brain, joints, and skin health.

Key Points

1 Cyanocobalamin is safe synthetic form of Vitamin B12

2 B12 deficiency can cause serious neurological disorders

3 Human body cannot produce B12 naturally

4 Essential vitamin critical for DNA and blood cell production

A recent viral post on social media has raised alarm over the use of cyanocobalamin in Vitamin B12 supplements. The post claims that it is harmful due to its breakdown into cyanide -- a toxic substance -- and suggests using Methylcobalam instead. Methylcobalamin is a natural form of vitamin B12 and contains a methyl group.

Even as the post went viral, it raised several concerns, especially as consumption of Vitamin B12 is high in India.

Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of Vitamin B12 and contains a cyanide molecule.

As this raises a misconception regarding the safety of the vitamin, the experts noted that the medication is safe for use.

“Cyanocobalamin is a stable synthetic precursor of vitamin B12, an essential vitamin. The amount of cyanide produced as a result of the conversion to the active vitamin is so small it presents no threat to humans when taken as directed. It is safely excreted by the body,” Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Chairman, Scientific Committee, IMA Cochin told IANS.

Jayadevan also listed other commonly used foods, in which cyanide is present in minuscule amounts such as tapioca, flaxseed, and apple, which causes no harm to people.

On the other hand, the expert noted that the deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause serious neurological disorders including paralysis.

“B12 deficiency is a major reason for brain disease, brain fog, dementia, neuropathy, nerve weakness, forgetfulness and weakness. Its deficiency can lead to painful joints and skin problems,” Dr M Wali, Senior Consultant at a city-based hospital.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, as it contains the mineral cobalt, helps create your DNA and red blood cells. The essential vitamin also helps keep hair, nails, and skin in good health.

As the human body doesn't make B12, one must eat foods of animal origin, like meat, fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), eggs, and dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), or take supplements to get the required amount of the essential vitamin.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/cyanocobalamin-safe-vitamin-b12-deficiency-impact-brain-joints-skin-645

Air pollution exposure in childhood may affect brain's thinking, controlling capacity: Study

A groundbreaking study by Barcelona's ISGlobal reveals how early childhood air pollution exposure can significantly disrupt brain network connectivity. Researchers found that children exposed to higher pollution levels may experience reduced functional connections between critical brain regions responsible for cognitive and emotional processing. The study analyzed data from 3,626 children, examining exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants. While more research is needed, the findings highlight the potential long-term neurological risks of environmental pollution during early developmental stages.

"These associations persist throughout adolescence, which may indicate persistent disruptions in normal brain development" - Monica Guxens, ISGlobal Researcher

Air pollution exposure in childhood may affect brain's thinking, controlling capacity: Study

Children exposed to higher levels of air pollution in early and mid-childhood may have weaker connections between key brain regions that can highly impact their thinking and controlling capacity, according to a study.

Key Points

1 Air pollution linked to weaker brain region connectivity

2 Early childhood exposure impacts cognitive function

3 Study analyzed 3,626 children's neurological data

4 Pollution affects brain networks from birth to adolescence

The findings, published in Environment International, highlight the potential impact of early exposure to air pollution on brain development.

The research led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Spain showed reduced functional connectivity within and between certain cortical and subcortical brain networks in kids with increased exposure to air pollution.

These networks are systems of interconnected brain structures that work together to perform different cognitive functions, such as thinking, perceiving, and controlling movement, said the team.

"These associations persist throughout adolescence, which may indicate persistent disruptions in the normal development of brain networks due to pollution exposure. This could affect emotional processing and cognitive functions," said Monica Guxens, ICREA researcher at ISGlobal.

The study analysed data from 3,626 children exposed to air pollution at the participants' residences, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOX).

The results show that greater exposure to air pollution from birth to three years old is associated with lower connectivity between the amygdala and the cortical networks involved in attention, somatomotor function -- which coordinates body movements -- and auditory function.

Additionally, higher exposure to PM10 particles in the year before the neuroimaging assessment was associated with lower functional connectivity between the salience and medial-parietal networks -- responsible for detecting stimuli in the environment and for introspection and self-perception.

"However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand their exact impact on brain development," Guxens said.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/air-pollution-exposure-childhood-affect-brains-thinking-controlling-capacity-307

Researchers find novel genes linked to rare childhood diarrhea

A groundbreaking Canadian research team has uncovered three novel genes responsible for a rare childhood condition called CODE. By conducting genome sequencing on 129 infants, the scientists successfully diagnosed 48% of cases and identified new genetic pathways. Their research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, offers hope for families struggling with this challenging condition. The findings could potentially lead to more precise, personalized treatments for affected children.

"Undiagnosed infantile diarrhoea can be fatal" - Dr. Aleixo Muise, SickKids Gastroenterologist

A team of Canadian researchers has identified three novel genes linked to rare childhood diarrhoea.

Key Points

1 Genome sequencing reveals three new CODE genes

2 Advanced computational methods used in research

3 48% of infant cases successfully diagnosed

4 Potential for targeted genetic treatments

The rare condition called CODE (congenital diarrhoea and enteropathies) disrupts the function of cells in the intestine, causing diarrhoea. It also prevents infants from absorbing the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

The team from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) conducted genome sequencing on 129 infants with suspected CODE.

The scientists characterised the function of novel CODE genes using advanced computational methods and zebrafish models

The analysis was remarkably successful, providing a diagnosis for 48 per cent of cases.

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found three new genes associated with CODE -- GRWD1, MYO1A , and MON1A -- and provided answers to 62 families.

“Undiagnosed infantile diarrhoea can be fatal, but even when it isn’t, early diagnosis of rare conditions can help provide much-needed answers for families,” said Dr. Aleixo Muise, Staff Gastroenterologist and Senior Scientist in the Cell and Systems Biology programme at SickKids.

“As a result of this study, we can now provide a diagnosis to more families and move closer to precision treatments tailored to their child’s specific genetic variant,” Muise added.

ODEs are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although the treatment of these disorders is largely supportive, emerging targeted therapies based on genetic diagnoses include specific diets, pharmacologic treatments, and surgical interventions.

A genetic diagnosis alone can provide relief to many families, said the team.

They noted that understanding the genetic and functional underpinnings of the conditions, including three new pathways, can also move scientists closer to targeted treatments.

In addition to the genes, in the case series of 129 infants with suspected congenital diarrhoeal disorders, the team identified causal variants, including a new founder NEUROG3 variant, in 62 infants (48 per cent).

https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/researchers-find-novel-genes-linked-rare-childhood-diarrhoea-805

Atrial fibrillation increases dementia risk, new research warns

AFib can increase dementia risk by 21%, new evidence from Spain indicates.

• Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia, and experts are interested in the relationship between atrial fibrillation and other conditions like dementia.
• Recent study results suggest that atrial fibrillation increases the risk of dementia and that the risk association is stronger for younger individuals.
• The results suggest the importance of treating atrial fibrillation as soon as possible and emphasizing possible preventative measures.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) affects millionsTrusted Source of people and is a common arrhythmia. Experts are continuing to explore the potential complications of the condition.

Recent study findings regarding AFib and dementia risk were presented at the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) 2025.

The research — called “Association between atrial fibrillation and dementia, with a particular focus on early-onset dementia: A longitudinal population-based study in Catalonia, Spain” — from medical institutions in Spain, involved over 2.5 million participants, and researchers found that having AFib was a weak predictor of dementia.

When looking at risk in various age groups, participants with AFib were at a 21% greater risk for dementia if they were below 70 years old.

The risk was greatest for dementia diagnosis before age 65. In contrast, the associated risk for dementia was no longer statistically significant for participants over seventy.

This study results have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

What is the impact of AFib on dementia?

The authors of this study noted that there are mixed results when it comes to AFib affecting dementia risk, and that there is a lack of data focusing on the Mediterranean population.

They also noted that gaining more data about which subpopulations have the greatest associations between AFib and dementia can help experts understand why and help with finding specific, preventative strategies. Thus, they sought to “assess the independent association between [atrial fibrillation] and incident dementia.”

This study was a population-based observational study among participants in Catalonia, Spain. Researchers used data from the System for the Development of Research in Primary Care. This system allowed researchers to look at vast anonymized data.

Researchers used demographic records, ICD-10 codes, laboratory data, and drug prescription data in their analyses. The ICD-10 codes and drug prescription data were used to identify the cases of dementia.

All participants were at least 45 years old. After excluding people who had previous cognitive impairment or dementia, the overall analysis included 2,458,905 individuals.

The researchers also conducted a separate analysis that further excluded participants who had prevalent or incident stroke, ultimately including 2,377,638 participants in this analysis.

The average follow-up time with participants was 13 years. Of the study population, 3.25% had AFib. Throughout the follow-up, researchers found a greater crude incidence of dementia among participants who had AFib, and the univariate analysis showed AFib was a strong predictor of someone developing dementia.

However, after they adjusted for potential confounders, AFib was only a weak predictor of someone developing dementia.

When looking at participants based on age, the risk for dementia in participants with AFib decreased with increased age.

Of note, once participants were older than 70, the risk for dementia associated with AFib was no longer at a level that was statistically significant.

In participants under 70, AFib “independently increased the risk of dementia by 21%.” Participants with AFib under seventy were also at a 36% increased risk for early-onset dementia. For this study, that meant getting a diagnosis of dementia before age 65.

Researchers observed similar findings when excluding participants with baseline stroke or those who experienced a stroke during the follow-up. In this group, AFib appeared to increase the risk for early onset dementia by 52%.

Study author Julian Rodriguez-Garcia, MD, from the Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain, highlighted the following components of the findings to Medical News Today:

“Our study highlights that [atrial fibrillation] is an independent predictor of dementia, with a stronger association in individuals under 70 years of age, especially for early-onset dementia. Notably, the association between [atrial fibrillation] and dementia weakened in individuals over 70, suggesting that the impact of [atrial fibrillation] may diminish as other factors contributing to cognitive decline become more dominant in older age groups.”

What should researchers investigate next?

Since the full study has not been published, this makes it challenging to examine the full limitations of the work. Complete publication of the work will allow for a more in-depth view of the findings.

However, the study focused on individuals in Spain, so greater diversity in future studies could be helpful, as well as focusing on other populations.

While researchers were able to adjust for potential confounders, residual confounding is likely still possible. They used codes and prescription data to confirm dementia cases, but it is possible that they missed some cases of dementia or that some participants received an incorrect diagnosis.

Additionally, it is important to note that the research only describes an increased risk for dementia, not that AFib causes dementia.

Paul Drury, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and associate medical director of electrophysiology at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, who was not involved in the study, noted to MNT that “[t]here are interesting findings [in this study]; however, it is retrospective and does not tease out which specific treatments patients received or other comorbidities.”

“There does however [appear to] be a much stronger association with dementia the earlier a person is diagnosed with AFib, which implies that AFib has potential mechanisms that can lead to dementia. Larger studies that involve more diverse patient populations and are able to control for specific treatments such as anticoagulation use, rate vs rhythm control or ablation will be needed to confirm the causality of dementia from AFib,” Drury advised.

Rodriguez-Garcia further noted that:

“Future research should focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms by which [atrial fibrillation] contributes to dementia, particularly in younger individuals. Exploring how [atrial fibrillation] leads to changes in brain structure, such as brain atrophy or microinfarcts, could offer new insights. Additionally, longitudinal studies that assess the impact of early intervention for [atrial fibrillation], including rhythm control and management of cardiovascular risk factors, are needed to determine whether these strategies can reduce dementia risk in the long term.”

Preventing AFib may lower dementia risk

These study results add to the understanding of the relationship between dementia and AFib and drew on data from a very large study population.

Drury noted that:

“Multiple prior studies have shown an increased risk of dementia in patients with AFib. Some small trials have shown the ability to decrease the risk of dementia with more aggressive treatment such as cardiac ablation or chronic anticoagulation therapy. This study supplements these prior findings, however discovering a way to alter the risk of dementia in a young patient diagnosed with AFib is still necessary.”

Overall, these study results highlight how AFib may particularly increase the risk for dementia in younger individuals.

“From a clinical perspective,”, Rodriguez-Garcia, added, “our findings emphasize the importance of actively managing [atrial fibrillation], particularly in younger individuals.”

“While the increased risk of dementia in those with [atrial fibrillation] is well-established, preventing the onset of [atrial fibrillation] through cardiovascular health management could significantly reduce the likelihood of cognitive decline later in life,” he advised.

“Furthermore, the association of [atrial fibrillation] with dementia in patients under 70 suggests that proactive monitoring for cognitive impairment in these individuals could allow for early intervention. The findings also call for a deeper exploration of how rhythm control strategies and other [atrial fibrillation] treatments might potentially mitigate cognitive decline in affected patients,” said Rodriguez-Garcia.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/atrial-fibrillation-increases-dementia-risk-new-research-warns

Maintaining low cholesterol may help decrease dementia risk

New research suggests that cholesterol could play a key role in dementia risk.

• Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, and numbers are increasing rapidly.
• One factor that may increase the risk of dementia is high levels of blood cholesterol.
• Now, a study has found that low levels of LDL-C, or ‘bad’ cholesterol, may reduce the risk of developing dementia.
• Statins, a cholesterol-lowering medication, could reduce the risk of dementia further in people with low LDL-C.

Cholesterol performs many essential functions within the body, including building cell membranes, producing steroid hormones and helping create bile in the liver.

However, too much cholesterol — particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) — can lead to health problems, such as cardiovascular disease.

Cholesterol levels may also affect a person’s risk of developing dementia but study findings are inconsistent. Some studies suggest that higher levels have a protective effect; others maintain that dementia risk is not linked to high cholesterol.

Another study has found very little association between LDL-C and dementia risk.

A new study by South Korean researchers has found that people with low, but not extremely low, LDL-C levels have a reduced risk of developing dementia, and this decrease appears to be enhanced if they take cholesterol-lowering statins.

The study is published in the BMJ Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

Emer MacSweeney, MD, CEO and consultant neuroradiologist at Re:Cognition Health, who was not involved in this study, explained for Medical News Today that:

“The study reinforces the importance of lipid management in overall health, including cognitive function. It also highlights the complexity of LDL-C’s role in dementia, suggesting that optimal levels exist rather than a ‘lower is always better’ approach. While promising, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the observational nature of the study. More high-quality [randomized control trials] are needed to confirm these associations and inform clinical guidelines.”

Low LDL-C linked to reduced dementia risk

The researchers analyzed outpatient data, collected between 1986 and 2020, from more than 12 million people at 11 medical centers in South Korea.

United States Government guidelines state that a healthy level of LDL-C is under 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

After an initial analysis, the researchers divided their final sample into two groups: 108,980 people with LDL-C greater than 130 mg/dL, and 108,980 with LDL-C under 70 mg/dL. All were followed for 180 days after testing, for comparison.

They recorded two outcomes — a primary outcome of all-cause dementia, and a secondary outcome of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers replicated their analysis with a subset of patients who had been prescribed statins before inclusion in the study, dividing them into three groups by LDL-C levels: less than 55 mg/dL, less than 70 mg/dL, and greater than 130mg/dL.

People with LDL-C levels below 70 mg/dL had a 26% lower risk of all-cause dementia and a 28% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease related dementia, than those with LDL-C levels greater than 130mg/dL.

At LDL-C levels below 70 mg/dL, the reduction in dementia risk diminished. People with LDL-C at 55 mg/dL had only 18% risk reduction, and below 30 mg/dL, there was no reduction in dementia risk at all.

MacSweeney told MNT: “This is an interesting observation indicating a potential threshold effect, where reducing LDL-C beyond a certain point does not further improve cognitive outcomes. It aligns with previous research indicating that while high LDL-C is harmful, excessively low levels may not offer additional protective effects.”

And David Gill, MD, a neurologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, similarly not involved in the study, explained further that:

“High levels of LDL-C are associated with higher rates of vascular disease such as coronary artery disease in the heart and lowering those levels to a point is associated with reduced risk of vascular disease but there does not appear to be additional benefit once they fall below a certain level and extremely low levels may actually be harmful.”

We rounded up a few nutritious recipes for you to try next time you need inspiration in the kitchen. Join our heart health newsletter for your free recipes and expert guidance once a week.

Statins may amplify benefits of low LDL-C

Statins are medications used to help lower blood cholesterol levels, to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This study suggests that they might also reduce the risk of dementia.

In people with LDL-C below 70 mg/dL, statins were associated with a further 13% reduction in dementia risk, and a further 12% lowering of Alzheimer’s risk, compared with nonusers. The researchers found that statins slightly decreased risk in those with higher LDL-C levels, but had no effect in those with LDL-C levels below 55 mg/dL.

However, Gill cautioned that, “s[i]nce this was an observational study, we cannot use the results to say that statins reduced the risk, just that a patient being on a statin medication may have been associated with an even lower risk of dementia.“

“This is an important distinction because there is limited evidence that statin use is associated with less risk of dementia despite many studies looking at this risk,” he noted. “This study is yet another study to add to this list of studies that suggest there may be an association between statin use and a lower risk of dementia.”

“In general, I recommend statin or other lipid lowering medications be used according to recommended guidelines for prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease and not merely for dementia prevention given the lack of well controlled research studies to guide their use, as it is possible that statin medications do not reduce the risk of dementia and have their own risks.”– David Gill, MD

Why might lower cholesterol and statins reduce dementia risk?

The authors of the study state that higher levels of LDL-C lead to inflammation, oxidative stress and an imbalance in brain cholesterol homeostasis, all of which are implicated in the development of dementia.

Conversely, low LDL-C reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular disease, which known risk factors for dementia.

Statins enhance the function of endothelial cells that line blood vessels, reduce neuroinflammation and regulate the metabolism of beta-amyloidTrusted Source, which forms the plaques that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.

“This suggests that statins may have neuroprotective effects beyond simply lowering LDL-C, possibly through an anti-inflammatory or vascular mechanism,“ MacSweeney explained further.

“However,” she cautioned, “the effect size was modest and more research is needed to confirm causation.”

Free cholesterol-lowering tips — all medically reviewed

Get our cholesterol micro-lessons to support you in making lasting lifestyle changes to manage your cholesterol levels. Our experts have gathered cholesterol-lowering tips into free weekly 5-min lessons.

Keep LDL-C low to enhance health

Although this study cannot prove that lower LDL-C decreases dementia risk, it does help protect against cardiovascular disease, so people are advised to keep their LDL-C levels below 100 mg/dL.

MacSweeney advised:

“To maintain healthy LDL-C levels while optimising cognitive benefits, it is advised to follow a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (e.g., olive oil, nuts, fatty fish).”

She also advocated engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption. In addition, she recommended that people manage their weight and control conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and only “consider statin therapy if clinically indicated, under a doctor’s guidance.”

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/maintaining-low-cholesterol-may-help-decrease-dementia-risk