Series of studies suggests obesity, heart disease, diabetes may raise dementia risk

HealthDay (3/10, Reinberg) reported that a "series of studies" published in the March issue of the Archives of Neurology suggests that "obesity and its common companions -- diabetes and heart disease -- can work together to speed dementia and other brain ills." In the first study, which involved 4,895 patients, researchers "found that among older women, obesity, high blood pressure and a low level of HDL...were each associated with a 23 percent increase in risk for cognitive impairment." Another study by the same researchers, using "data on 3,054 older men and women," found "that obese men were more likely to show signs of cognitive decline. However, there was no correlation between obesity and cognitive decline among women, the study reported." A third report, by separate researchers, suggests "that obesity in middle age increased the risk for dementia. However, after age 65, underweight people rather than obese people were at higher risk for dementia." That study included data on 2,798 men and women. The journal also includes a study which "collected data on 156 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease," and "found that people with higher total and LDL...cholesterol levels and diabetes had a more rapid cognitive decline after developing Alzheimer's disease."