Low LDL-C Levels Associated with Higher Incidence of Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers from the University of North Carolina, USA, have reported that individuals with low LDL cholesterol levels have a significantly higher likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) compared to those with high LDL-C levels.

Previous studies have shown that PD patients have a lower incidence of heart attacks and strokes compared to non-PD patients. PD patients are also more likely to carry the APOE-2 gene, which is associated with lower LDL-C levels.

Dr. Xuemei Huang and her colleagues investigated whether high LDL cholesterol levels are related to a decreased incidence of Parkinson’s disease, and whether low levels are conversely linked to a higher incidence. The study included 124 PD patients and 112 healthy spouses of patients (controls).

The results indicated that participants with LDL-C levels below 114 mg/dL had a 3.5 times higher incidence of PD than those with LDL-C levels above 138 mg/dL.

Dr. Huang and her team found it interesting that using cholesterol-lowering drugs or statins was associated with a lower incidence of Parkinson’s disease.