New research: How statins cut risk of dementia by 24%

Statins prescribed to help millions of patients lower their risk of heart disease could have a bonus benefit.

15:51 14 April 2014

Researchers have discovered that statins - already used by millions of patients to lower their chances of heart disease - could house more powers than initially thought: they could slow the effects of brain disease too. 

 

Patients who had higher doses than usual and those who took them for longer periods noticed an increased instance of reduced brain disease attributes. 

 

A study of 30,000 people for a decade noticed the benefits after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that the cheap pills could leave some patients feeling confused. The latest results found that they actually had the opposite effect on brain performance, helping patients feel LESS confused. 

 

If the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE) approves this usage, it means that 12 million could take the daily tablets and not only help prevent heart attacks but also cut down on their chances of developing dementia. 

 

Women had the greatest benefit as their risk reduced by nearly a quarter - 24%. On average the lowered risk was 22%. 

 

Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, was quoted by the Express: “Similar studies in other countries have also associated statin use with lower dementia risk and it is interesting to see this observation repeated in a large study in Asia.

 

“These kinds of studies are useful for highlighting trends but do not confirm cause and effect.

 

“The best way to know for sure whether statins could reduce the risk of dementia would be through clinical trials.

 

“To date, there is not enough evidence from clinical trials to suggest that statins could prevent dementia but there are trials still ongoing at the moment.

 

“Until there is firm evidence, we would not recommend people take statins to prevent dementia. However, we know that cardiovascular risk factors can be associated with poor brain health so keeping high cholesterol in check may help maintain a healthy brain in old age.”