Study suggests benefits of statins

Aside from controlling or reducing cholesterol levels, a recent study, led by D. Larry Sparks, Ph.D, from Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, shows elective use of statins and other lipid lowering agents also may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. 

The study, "Reduced Risk of Incident AD with Elective Statin Use in a Clinical Trial Cohort," appears in the August edition of Current Alzheimer's Research. It suggests statin therapy may be beneficial in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease, demonstrating a 67 percent reduced risk. 

The study investigated more than 2,200 participants enrolled in ADAPT (Alzheimer's Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial) who were allowed to continue their elective use of lipid-lowering agents including statin medications.

"These significant results are suggesting very clearly that reducing cholesterol levels in midlife - or at any time in a person's life - is a medically sound approach, not only for overall health but also in reducing the risk of AD," Sparks said.

Sparks and his colleagues evaluated the ADAPT participants - who all were 70 years or older with a history of at least one first-degree relative with Alzheimer's-like dementia, but who were not diagnosed with dementia, senility or Alzheimer's - for the development of mild cognitive impairment or  Alzheimer's.

During the study, which began in 2001 and was suspended in 2004, participants had regular blood draws. The researchers compared those who were using lipid lowering therapy with those not taking lipid lowering agents which resulted in four groups - 1309 non-lipid lowering agent users, 754 statin LLA users, 75 non-statin LLA users and 90 mixed-statin use individuals.

Along with the 67 percent risk reduction for Alzheimer's, when the researchers looked at all individuals using LLA, they found a similar significant 67 percent risk reduction. A non-significant 18 percent risk reduction for MCI also was associated with ongoing statin use.

"This study is the first prospective assessment of the influence of elective statin therapy on the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment and incident  Alzheimer's during a randomized trial of another class of medication," Sparks said. "It is clear that more study is needed, especially in assessing statin efficacy in the treatment of MCI."

Sparks' pioneered research indicating cholesterol may exacerbate the progression of AD. His original AD Cholesterol-lowering Treatment Trial was the first clinical trial of its kind designed to test the clinical benefits of atorvastatin (Lipitor) in both memory and behavioral measures.

Sparks also has led studies showing that many of the brain changes characteristic of AD can be found in patients with critical coronary artery disease or hypertension. Research indicates the onset of these diseases can occur approximately 10 to 15 years before onset of the first signs of Alzheimer's.