title: Behavioral implications of lowering cholesterol levels: a double-blind pilot study.
abstract: The treatment of hypercholesterolemia may be associated with greater noncardiac mortality. This current pilot study sought to determine which behaviors, if any, are associated with decreases in cholesterol level. Twelve subjects received one of two cholesterol-reducing drugs or placebo. Cholesterol and behavioral ratings were measured at baseline, 4, and 52 weeks with standardized scales. Cholesterol levels markedly declined with concomitant significant increases in impulsivity ratings at 4 weeks. At 52 weeks, the increase in impulsivity ratings was no longer apparent, but depression ratings showed a significant improvement. This pilot study, although limited in size, raises the possibility that cholesterol-lowering drugs are associated with mild, time-limited increases in impulsivity and with mild, time-delayed improvements in depression ratings.
authors.affiliation: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA 95128, USA. Thomas.Ormiston@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ormiston
authors.forename: Owen M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Wolkowitz
authors.forename: Victor I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Reus
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Manfredi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012495:San Francisco
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin; D000069059:Atorvastatin