Common cholesterol drug offers new hope for millions of Alzheimer’s patients

Study finds that statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol levels, might slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in certain patients.

Alzheimer's disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder impacting millions globally, may finally hold a spark of hope.

Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder impacting millions globally, may finally hold a spark of hope. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0)

Alzheimer's disease, a devastating neurodegenerative condition that impacts millions globally, may have found an unexpected ally in statins.

These widely used cholesterol-lowering medications could hold potential for slowing the progression of the disease, according to a recent study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, published in Alzheimer Research and Therapy.

While the findings offer a glimmer of hope, the researchers stress the need for caution, emphasizing that this study represents a preliminary step toward understanding the potential role of statins in Alzheimer's treatment.

Statins and Cognitive Decline

The study uncovered an intriguing link between statins and Alzheimer's progression. Patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia who received statin therapy showed slower cognitive decline compared to those who did not.

Interaction between the patient’s and medication’s characteristics potentially influence the cognitive effects of statins. Two separate cholesterol pools in the body are thought to be connected to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), central and peripheral. (CREDIT: Alzheimer Research and Therapy)

This connection was drawn from an analysis of registry data, where researchers observed trends suggesting a possible protective effect of statins on cognitive function.

However, the researchers were quick to highlight the study's limitations. As an observational study, it cannot definitively establish a causal relationship between statin use and slower Alzheimer's progression. Further controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings and explore their broader implications.

The use of statins in patients with dementia has historically been met with caution. Concerns over potential side effects, including confusion, have led to hesitancy in prescribing these medications to individuals with neurodegenerative conditions.

Sara Garcia-Ptacek, assistant professor at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society and lead researcher of the study, addressed these concerns. "People with Alzheimer's dementia treated with statins had better cognitive development over time," she noted, underscoring the significance of these findings for re-evaluating statin use in this vulnerable population.

A Promising but Preliminary Step

While the results of this study provide hope, they also highlight the complexity of Alzheimer's disease and the challenges of identifying effective treatments. The potential benefits of statins for certain patients warrant further investigation through rigorous clinical trials.

However, the results of the study do not mean that we now have evidence that people with dementia should be treated with statins. But on the other hand, we can't see any support for not doing so. So, if a person needs statins for high blood lipids, a dementia diagnosis should not stop the treatment."

The study incorporated data from over 15,500 dementia patients who also had indications for lipid-lowering treatment. Among them, nearly 11,000 received statin therapy.

Interestingly, the patients on statins displayed slightly higher cognitive test scores despite having higher rates of conditions like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, all of which are established risk factors for dementia.

Cognitive decline, evaluated with change in MMSE score over time, in statin users compared to non-users of statins. The graph shows the association between increasing doses of statin treatment and MMSE over time, as predicted from the model. (CREDIT: Alzheimer Research and Therapy)

Garcia-Ptacek elucidates that their research began with the hypothesis that statins might decelerate dementia progression. They cast a wide net to explore if there was any evidence to substantiate this theory.

"The basic idea of this study was to pave the way for a more precise cohort study that could eventually lead to a clinical intervention study, which is what is needed to prove a causal link between statins and cognition," she explains.

The concept of statins influencing dementia's risk or progression is not entirely new. Previous clinical studies have explored this idea, but they yielded negative results. Garcia-Ptacek and her team believe that these trials might have been too small to detect significant differences.

Their approach focuses on pinpointing specific patient groups within the Alzheimer's spectrum that might benefit the most from statin treatment, and understanding why they respond positively. This preliminary study sets the stage for more refined investigations and potential future clinical trials.

While this study hints at the potential benefits of statins in Alzheimer's patients, it serves as a critical stepping stone in unraveling the complex relationship between these drugs and dementia.

Cognitive decline, evaluated with change in MMSE score over time, in simvastatin compared to atorvastatin users. (CREDIT: Alzheimer's Research and Therapy)

Further research is needed to definitively establish the causality and to identify which subset of Alzheimer's patients stands to gain the most from statin therapy. Until then, cautious optimism remains the prevailing sentiment in the pursuit of a breakthrough in Alzheimer's treatment.

Most common types of statins / cholesterol medications:

Atorvastatin (Lipitor): This is the most widely used statin and is effective at lowering all types of cholesterol. It is available in various dosage strengths and is generally well-tolerated.

Rosuvastatin (Crestor): This statin is also very effective at lowering LDL cholesterol and may be a good option for people who have not had success with other statins. It is available in lower doses than atorvastatin and may be less likely to cause muscle side effects.

Simvastatin (Zocor): This statin is a good choice for people who need a lower-cost option. It is available in generic form and is effective at lowering LDL cholesterol. However, it may be more likely to cause muscle side effects than other statins.

Lipitor is the most widely used statin. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 3.0)

Pravastatin (Pravachol): This statin is a good option for people who have liver disease or kidney disease. It is not as effective at lowering LDL cholesterol as some other statins, but it is generally well-tolerated.

Fluvastatin (Lescol): This statin is a good option for people who are taking other medications that can interact with statins. It is not as effective at lowering LDL cholesterol as some other statins, but it is generally well-tolerated.

Lovastatin (Mevacor): This statin is less commonly used than other statins but can be effective for some people. It is available in a natural form that is derived from red yeast rice.

Pitavastatin (Livalo): This statin is a newer statin that is effective at lowering LDL cholesterol and may be a good option for people who have not had success with other statins. It is available in lower doses than some other statins and may be less likely to cause muscle side effects.

Please remember that this is not an exhaustive list of all statins available. The best statin for you will depend on your individual needs and medical history. Talk to your doctor about which statin is right for you.

Note: Materials provided above by the The Brighter Side of News. Content may be edited for style and length.


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Joseph Shavit
Joseph ShavitSpace, Technology and Medical News Writer
Joseph Shavit is the head science news writer with a passion for communicating complex scientific discoveries to a broad audience. With a strong background in both science, business, product management, media leadership and entrepreneurship, Joseph possesses the unique ability to bridge the gap between business and technology, making intricate scientific concepts accessible and engaging to readers of all backgrounds.