Falsehoods about Alzheimer's cause spread – what does cholesterol have to do with it?

False claims are spreading on social media suggesting that a lack of cholesterol causes Alzheimer's disease. However, medical experts and scientific research firmly refute this assertion.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects the brain, leading to memory loss, impaired thinking, behavioral changes, and a decline in daily functioning. While the precise cause of Alzheimer's is still not fully understood, the U.S. National Institute on Aging indicates that a combination of age-related brain changes, genetic factors, health conditions, and lifestyle choices likely contributes to its development.

The misinformation circulating online incorrectly states that 75% of the brain is myelin, that 100% of myelin is cholesterol, and that statins cause Alzheimer's. In reality, statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Contrary to the false claims, scientific studies suggest that statin use does not increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Some research even indicates a potential association with a lower risk of dementia and cognitive decline, possibly due to improved brain circulation, although a direct causal link is not proven.

Experts explain that the observed increase in Alzheimer's cases among individuals over 65 is primarily attributed to longer life expectancies and significant advancements in diagnostic methods, rather than the influence of cholesterol-lowering medications.