Metabolic Syndrome May Affect Memory

Older adults with metabolic syndrome may be more likely to have memory problems, new research suggests. This syndrome is a collection of factors related to health. Together, they greatly increase the risk of fatal heart attack and stroke. People with the syndrome have at least three of the risk factors. They include high blood pressure, a large waistline and high blood sugar. The others are abnormal levels of blood fats: high triglycerides and low levels of HDL (“good cholesterol”). The study included 7,087 people over age 65. About 16% had metabolic syndrome. They were given several memory tests. The people with metabolic syndrome were 20% more likely to have memory problems than other people. The journal Neurology published the study online. USA Today wrote about it February 2.