Scientists at the Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimers Research have found that a chronic high-fat cholesterol diet may lead to brain damage.

The researchers noted that the onset of Alzheimer’s disease can begin up to 30 years before symptoms appear and that high cholesterol levels have been linked to this illness. Therefore, the scientists focused the study to find the effects that hypercholesterolemia has on the brain.

For the study, the investigators examined 6-month old male rats and fed assigned the subjects to either a cholesterol-high diet or control group.

The animals were tested for brain damage, including behavioral impairments and pathological markers, after five months.

Overall, the researchers found that the high-cholesterol group experienced inflammation, microbleeding, memory loss, and neurotransmitter dysfunction in their brains – all of which are similar to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

The scientists concluded that, while further studies should be conducted, high fat lipids such as cholesterol may contribute to brain damage and may have some involvement with the onset of Alzheimer’s.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that individuals could maintain a healthy and nutritional diet to help prevent future diseases.