Figure 3.

A proposed explanation for the association between high plasma triglycerides and a high risk of stroke and non-Alzheimer dementia. Triglyceride concentration reflects the triglyceride content in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles, and thus, also the cholesterol content in these particles. The cholesterol content can be taken up by macrophages leading to foam cell formation. These foam cells get trapped in the arterial wall and lead to the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque. The triglyceride content of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles can cause inflammation, and thus, further contributing to the formation of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis causes ischemic stroke which, again, causes non-Alzheimer dementia. Created with BioRender.com.