This research by Terry L. Lewis, Dongfeng Cao, Hailin Lu, et al was motivated by the observation that HDL and its component apolipoprotein A-1 are protective against cardiac disease, on the one hand, and tend to be low in Alzheimer’s Disease patients.

In a mouse mode, they have showed that “increasing plasma apoA-I/HDL levels ameliorates AD-like memory deficits and amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition….”

While there research found no reduction of amyloid-β in the mice brains, “cerebral amyloid angiopathy was reduced…”

Likely due to the anti-inflammatory properties of apoA-1, “glial activation was reduced…and “…Aβ-induced production of proinflammatory chemokines/cytokines was decreased….”

The authors conclude that “…overexpression of human apoA-I in the circulation prevents learning and memory deficits” in the mice model, by possibly “…attenuating neuroinflammation and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

These findings suggest that elevating plasma apoA-I/HDL levels may be an effective approach to preserve cognitive function in patients with AD.

Reference:

Overexpression of Human Apolipoprotein A-I Preserves Cognitive Function and Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease

By Terry L. Lewis, Dongfeng Cao, Hailin Lu, et al

Here is a link to the article: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M110.127829

Editors suggestion: In addition to its possible benefits for patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)or AD, HDL is protective against cardiac disease. Therefore, patients with low HDL may want to find ways to increase it, for example by being more active, by cardio exercising if possible, by losing weight if appropriate, by limiting alcohol consumption, or by stopping smoking–if you are a smoker).