In the study, researchers examined the brains of 110 people aged 65 to 79. They found that the brains of people who had been taking statin drugs had fewer signs of the type of damage (such as plaques and tangles) commonly seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
Population-based studies have shown a connection between statins and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease before, but this was the first study to examine actual brains of people and find evidence of differences in plaques and other physical signs of Alzheimer’s disease based on whether or not people took statins.
The Bottom Line
Since no one knows the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, it is difficult to know the full implications of this study. It seems that there is a link between cholesterol, inflammation and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Statin drugs certainly reduce cholesterol and may reduce inflammation. This study gives yet another reason (in addition to preventing heart attacks) for people with high cholesterol to take, and continue taking, statin medications while making lifestyle changes to further reduce cholesterol and inflammation.Source:
G. Li, MD, PhD, E. B. Larson, MD, MPH, J. A. Sonnen, MD, J. B. Shofer, MS, E. C. Petrie, MD, A. Schantz, MA, E. R. Peskind, MD, M. A. Raskind, MD, J.C.S. Breitner, MD, MPH and T. J. Montine, MD, PhD. Statin therapy is associated with reduced neuropathologic changes of Alzheimer disease. NEUROLOGY 2007;69:878-885.
