Private MD News

Statins may reverse early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Many people who receive unhealthy cholesterol test results are prescribed statin medications by their physician. New evidence suggests that this treatment, in addition to lowering cholesterol, may also reduce a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

A team of researchers from McGill University found that administering statin medications to mice bred to develop the neurological condition improved vascular function in the brain and benefited both short- and long-term memory.

However, the results did indicate that the medication did little to eliminate amyloid plaque buildups in the brains of the animals. These protein deposits are typically found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and are thought to be a cause of the condition. However, loss of vascular function in the brain is another condition commonly believed to result in cognitive decline.

By restoring the flow of blood to the brain, statins may address one of the primary causes of Alzheimer's disease, the researchers said. The findings suggest that the medications may be a useful tool for the prevention of the condition and for reversing early-stage symptoms.