Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that people taking statins reduced their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 29 percent. The study, the largest to date on this subject, tracked more than 2,300 participants and included African-Americans. Alzheimer’s incidence was reduced equally in both whites and African-Americans.
A team at St. George’s Hospital Medical School in London found that using statins to reduce cholesterol levels dramatically lowered the production of beta amyloid in laboratory experiments. Beta amyloid is a protein that abnormally accumulates in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. The group has also shown that raising cholesterol levels increases beta amyloid production. A Tokyo-based research group found similar results, and identified a specific pathway through which statins may exert their effect on beta amyloid.
Scientists at Georgetown University found that high cholesterol levels increase the rate at which beta amyloid breaks off from its “parent” protein and accumulates into the plaques found in Alzheimer’s disease. They also showed that high cholesterol increases the production of another protein, called APOE, which contributes to nerve cell toxicity when overproduced.
A large, prospective clinical trial is currently underway to try to determine conclusively if statins can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Background
Statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are a class of drug used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Increased cholesterol levels have been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and statins are therefore used in the prevention of these diseases. They work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. Statins may also help your body reabsorb cholesterol that has built up in plaques on your artery walls, preventing further blockage in your blood vessels and heart attacks.
Randomized controlled trials have shown that they are most effective in those already suffering from cardiovascular disease (secondary prevention), but they are also advocated and used extensively in those without previous CVD but with elevated cholesterol levels and other risk factors (such as diabetes and high blood pressure) that increase a person’s risk.
Statins are generally accepted as effective in decreasing mortality in people with preexisting cardiovascular disease. They are also currently advocated for use in patients at high risk of developing heart disease. Statins may be contraindicated in persons with high risk of bleeding in the brain.
Research continues into other areas where statins also appear to have a favorable effect, including dementia and hypertension.
Compliments of Practical Memory Institute
