Association between lipid profile, atherogenic index, and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lipid profile parameters (including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP)) and cognitive function in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), based on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores measured at the same visit and after a two-year follow-up period.Material and Methods: This retrospective study included patients followed at the Dementia Outpatient Clinic of University Hospital between 2016 and 2025. A total of 84 AD patients with simultaneous lipid profile measurements (total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], triglycerides [TG]) and MMSE scores were included. Among them, 41 patients had a second MMSE recorded two years later. AIP was calculated using the logarithmic formula log(TG/HDL). Additional ratios including LDL/HDL, TC/HDL, non-HDL cholesterol, and TG/HDL were also analyzed. Correlation analyses were performed using Pearson or Spearman tests depending on data distribution, with statistical significance set at p