Statin therapy in Alzheimer's disease.
Previous studies have suggested that statin therapy may be of benefit in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). We initiated a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized (1:1) trial with a 1-year exposure to once-daily atorvastatin calcium (80 mg; two 40 mg tablets) or placebo among individuals with mild-to-moderate AD [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 12-28]. Stable dose use of cholinesterase inhibitors, estrogen and vitamin E was allowed, as was the use of most other medications in the treatment of co-morbidities. We demonstrated that atorvastatin treatment produced significantly (P = 0.003) improved performance on cognition and memory after 6 months of treatment (ADAS-cog) among patients with mild-to-moderate AD. This superior effect persisted at 1 year (P = 0.055). This positive effect on the ADAS-cog performance after 6 months of treatment was more prominent among individuals entering the trial with higher MMSE scores (P = 0.054). Benefit on other clinical measures was identified in the atorvastatin-treated population compared with placebo. Accordingly, atorvastatin therapy may be of benefit in the treatment of mild-to-moderately affected AD patients, but the level of benefit produced may be predicated on earlier treatment. Evidence also suggests that atorvastatin may slow the progression of mild-to-moderate AD, thereby prolonging the quality of an afflicted individual's life.
Sparks
D L
DL
Robert Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA. Larry.Sparks@SunHealth.org
Sabbagh
M
M
Connor
D
D
Soares
H
H
Lopez
J
J
Stankovic
G
G
Johnson-Traver
S
S
Ziolkowski
C
C
Browne
P
P
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002784:Cholesterol