Triglyceride-rich Lipoprotein and the Development of Dementia

Because of the rapid aging of the global population, dementia has become a serious problem, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Population studies have shown that dietary fats influence risk and progression of age-related diseases including AD, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Consumption of saturated fat, trans-fatty acids and cholesterol are positively associated with increased risk. These findings support the hypothesis that dietary saturated-fats (SFA) and cholesterol, or dietary induced dyslipidemia are causally associated with AD risk. AD is pathologically characterized by substantial neuronal loss and chronic inflammation that is associated with cerebrovascular and parenchymal accumulation of proteinaceous deposits enriched in amyloid-beta (Aβ). More recent evidence shows it is due to an increased blood-to-brain delivery of circulating Aβ, and significant peripheral Aβ metabolism occurs in association with post-prandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

In the prodromal stage of AD, patients usually suffer mild cognition impairment (MCI). The annual conversion rate of MCI to AD is around 10%, and within 3 years, around 30%-50% of these develop dementia. Brain atrophy is an irreversible brain disease that causes problems with cognitive and memory functions in many diseases, such as MCI and AD, etc. In order to allow preventive intervention for AD, MCI must be diagnosed as early as possible, using biomarker assays or simple imaging modality. From 2009-2013, the investigators have registered 4,492 patients with atherosclerotic vascular diseases (AVD). In addition, the investigators have also registered 8,209 cases with no evidence of AVD, but with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor. In this 5-year project, 300 male or female patients with stable symptomatic AVD over 20 years of age, and the other 600 patients with no evidence of AVD but with at least 1 CV risk factor, will be enrolled from our previous registry program. The baseline and yearly follow-up study will include clinical examination, neurocognitive function evaluation, and laboratory tests (TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, hs-CRP, and Aβ-40, Aβ-42, tau protein, and other biological signatures: adiponectin, MMP-3, MMP-9, IL-6, Fibrinogen, Lp-PLA2, 8-Isoprostane, hFABP, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, CA-125, MCP-1, TNF-α, cTnI, NT-proBNP, CNP, NGAL).