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For Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, one drug may have an edge.
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THE QUESTION Because the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins can reduce inflammation, some believe that they also may act against neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Do the data support this theory?
THIS STUDY analyzed data on more than 1.2 million people (average age, 75) who had neither dementia nor Parkinson's and who had taken a statin or other cardiovascular drug for at least seven months. Most people who took statins took simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) or lovastatin (Mevacor); other drugs taken included warfarin (Coumadin). Over three years, Alzheimer's-like dementia was diagnosed in 6,720 participants, and Parkinson's disease in 5,107. Those taking Zocor were 54 percent less likely to have developed dementia and 49 percent less likely to have Parkinson's than were people taking Coumadin or other cardiovascular drugs. Virtually no difference was found between people taking the other statins and those taking another drug.
WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? People taking statins.
CAVEATS Most participants were men. The authors say further study is needed to determine whether the findings represent "a biological action of simvastatin or an unanticipated statistical bias present in the . . . database." One of the six authors has a patent for the use of statins to treat Alzheimer's. The study was funded by an anonymous foundation.
FIND THIS STUDY July online issue of BioMed Central Medicine.
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