[Cholesterol and statins in Alzheimer disease].
Two recent observational studies have demonstrated a 60-73% reduction in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in patients treated with statins. In two further studies a polymorphism in the CYP46 gene encoding the cholesterol-24 hydroxylase was found to be associated with a significant increase in the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The question arises whether or not statins may exert a prophylactic effect on the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Statins pass the blood-brain-barrier to a different degree and may reduce the cerebral cholesterol turnover. Statins may also influence the CSF concentration of tau protein, and, to a minor extent, that of A beta. Further studies are warranted to find out which statins are most suitable for reducing cerebral amyloid metabolism and whether statins may also lower the severity of Alzheimer's disease.
Ransmayr
Gerhard
G
Neurologisch-psychiatrische Abteilung, Allgemeines Krankenhauses der Stadt Linz, Krankenhausstrasse 9, A-4020 Linz. gerhard.ransmayr@akh.linz.at
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D000072556:Cholesterol 24-Hydroxylase; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000235:genetics
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases; D000072556:Cholesterol 24-Hydroxylase