The Role of Statins in the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Objective:

To review the role of statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitors) in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Data Sources:

Literature was retrieved from EMBASE (1980–2010, week 22) and MEDLINE (1950-May 2010, week 4), using the key words statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, and Alzheimer's disease, as well as a bibliographic review of published articles.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

All clinical trials that involved humans, were published in the English language, and evaluated statins in the prevention and/or treatment of AD were included in this review.

Data Synthesis:

Recent studies have evaluated the use of statins in the prevention and treatment of AD; results from these studies are conflicting. One randomized, placebo-controlled trial found that statins may improve the ADAS-Cog (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale on Cognition) by 0.1–1.8 points in patients with AD during the first 6 months of treatment. Alternatively, another randomized controlled trial found that atorvastatin did not provide benefit on the ADAS-Cog. Although many of the prevention trials did find potential benefit with statin use, these trials were observational.

Conclusions:

Due to insufficient evidence of benefit in both the prevention and treatment of AD, statins cannot be recommended at this time.

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