Takashi Miida1, Akihiro Takahashi, Naohito Tanabe, Takeshi Ikeuchi. 1. Division of Clinical Preventive Medicine, Department of Community Preventive Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. miida@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Statins are the most used cholesterol-lowering agents worldwide. Earlier studies suggested that they may have preventive effects in Alzheimer's disease. However, prospective studies have questioned this hypothesis. RECENT FINDINGS: Statins regulate beta-amyloid metabolism and microglial activation. Pathologically, patients with Alzheimer's disease have more severe atherosclerosis in cerebral arteries than do controls. Such lesions may cause cerebral hypoperfusion, a risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline. Although most population-based studies have failed to show a beneficial effect of statins in Alzheimer's disease, two randomized controlled trials suggested that statins slow cognitive decline in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. SUMMARY: There is still some hope that statins reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and slow its progression. Large-scale randomized controlled trials of simvastatin and atorvastatin for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease are underway, which might provide more conclusive results than earlier studies.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Statins are the most used cholesterol-lowering agents worldwide. Earlier studies suggested that they may have preventive effects in Alzheimer's disease. However, prospective studies have questioned this hypothesis. RECENT FINDINGS: Statins regulate beta-amyloid metabolism and microglial activation. Pathologically, patients with Alzheimer's disease have more severe atherosclerosis in cerebral arteries than do controls. Such lesions may cause cerebral hypoperfusion, a risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline. Although most population-based studies have failed to show a beneficial effect of statins in Alzheimer's disease, two randomized controlled trials suggested that statins slow cognitive decline in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. SUMMARY: There is still some hope that statins reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and slow its progression. Large-scale randomized controlled trials of simvastatin and atorvastatin for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease are underway, which might provide more conclusive results than earlier studies.