Early-onset total cholesterol abnormality is associated with gray matter atrophy and decreased microstructural integrity

The occurrence of abnormal total cholesterol (TC) can gradually and persistently induce brain damage. Early-onset TC abnormality indicates the accumulation of risks. However, evidence about the impact of early-life TC abnormality on brain morphology remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of early-onset TC abnormality on brain macrostructure and microstructure. Based on the 16-year follow-up clinical data of participants in the Kailuan study, the involved participants were categorized into three groups: normal TC, early-onset TC abnormality (before 45 years old), and late-onset TC abnormality (after 45 years old). Multimodal neuroimaging data were obtained to evaluate the brain volume and white matter integrity at the voxel-wise level. A generalized linear model was employed to evaluate the association between TC abnormalities and neuroimaging features. Among the 590 involved participants, early-onset TC abnormality was associated with smaller gray matter volume (β = -0.480; 95% CI = -0.914, -0.047), predominantly in the frontal lobe, anterior cingulate gyrus, paracingulate gyrus, specifically in the hippocampus (β = -0.008; 95% CI = -0.013, -0.003). A negative association between early-onset TC abnormality and abnormal fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity in the fornix. Relative volume reduction of the frontal lobe and arcuate fasciculus injury were observed at the voxel level in late-onset TC abnormality participants. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was significantly associated with an increased gray matter volume and an increased white matter fractional anisotropy in participants with early-onset TC abnormality. Moreover, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was associated with microstructural integrity in the late-onset group. Early-onset TC abnormality was associated with multiple-region gray matter atrophy and decreased microstructural integrity. Our findings highlight the importance of early-life TC control to decrease the injury of brain morphology and maintain brain health.