CMHC Pulse Blog

The 2024 report from the Lancet Standing Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care brings promising developments for healthcare professionals and public health advocates. Updated with the latest research since the 2020 edition, this comprehensive report underscores the potential to prevent or significantly delay dementia by targeting modifiable risk factors. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Up to 50% of all dementia cases could potentially be prevented or substantially delayed. 

• The report now identifies 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia. 

• Newly included risk factors—untreated vision loss and high LDL cholesterol—underscore the critical role of these elements in maintaining cognitive health. 

The Cholesterol Connection 

Cholesterol’s recognition as a risk factor for dementia marks a pivotal advancement in understanding, preventing, and delaying cognitive decline. This discovery emphasizes the importance of managing cholesterol levels for cardiovascular health and preserving cognitive function as we age. 

At CMHC, we focus extensively on cardiometabolic health, where dyslipidemia plays a significant role. Dyslipidemia, characterized by an imbalance in lipids such as cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, and HDL, can result from various factors, including diet, tobacco and alcohol use, a sedentary lifestyle, or genetic conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia. As a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia also has far-reaching implications for cognitive health, underscoring its broad impact. 

Our expert faculty at CMHC delve into critical issues, offering insights on managing very low LDL-C, addressing concerns with statins and new-onset diabetes, and exploring the residual ASCVD risk beyond LDL-C, among other essential topics, in the CMHC Lipid Management Hub. 

Explore the CMHC Lipid Management Hub 

Visit the CMHC Lipid Management Hub, where you’ll find a wealth of resources, including webinars, CME activities, expert interviews, on-demand event recordings, news articles, drug pipelines, and more, all organized by specialty focus and format. 

Featured Articles: 

• FDA Extends Approval for Alirocumab to Lower LDL-C in Pediatric Patients with HeFH 

• FDA Expands Labels for Bempedoic Acid Tablets and Combination Bempedoic Acid and Ezetimibe Tablets to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk 

Featured Expert Highlights & Perspectives: 

• Exploring Novel Strategies for LDL-C Combination Therapy 

Featured CME Activities (Virtual and Free): 

• Understanding the Role of Lp(a) as a CV Risk Marker to Therapeutic Target in Prevention of ASCVS 

• Ace the Case Challenge Series: Exploring Novel Strategies for LDL-C Combination Therapy to Decrease ASCVD Risk 

• Challenges and Solutions in Lipid-Lowering Therapy in Women: From Gaps to Practice-changing Advances 

• Escape Room Experience: LDL-Lowering Therapy and Beyond – Applying Advances to Patient Care 

Featured Upcoming Live Conference: 

Join us at the 19th Annual Cardiometabolic Health Congress (CMHC) in Boston, MA, on October 17-19. The Dyslipidemia/Atherosclerosis/Thrombosis track will feature sessions on dyslipidemia and LDL cholesterol, including: 

• LDL Lowering Therapy Beyond Statins Supported by an educational grant from Esperion Therapeutics. Presented by Pamela B. Morris, MD. 

• New and Emerging Agents for Dyslipidemia and Hypertriglyceridemia Supported by an educational grant from Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals. Presented by Michael D. Shapiro, DO. 

• Challenging Lipid Management Cases & Panel Discussion & Audience Questions Moderator: Christie M. Ballantyne, MD. Panelists: Robert H. Eckel, MD; Martha Gulati, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FASPC, FESC; Erin D. Michos, MD; Pamela B. Morris, MD; Michael D. Shapiro, DO. 

To learn more and register for the 19th Annual CMHC, click here. 

The Takeaway 

The 2024 Lancet Commission report is a call to action for healthcare providers and public health advocates. By focusing on modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol management, we have the opportunity to significantly reduce the global burden of dementia.

Subscribe below and stay informed in this critical field, and you’ll be equipped to deliver top-tier care in managing lipid disorders and cognitive health for improved patient outcomes.