Statins in neurological disorders: mechanisms and therapeutic value.
Statins are well-tolerated, mainstay drugs in cardiovascular risk management. In addition to their cholesterol-lowering properties, statins also have anti-inflammatory, vasculoprotective, and antioxidant effects. They have also been associated in some epidemiologic studies with reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and a link between cholesterol and late-onset AD has been documented. Experimental studies in cell culture systems and animal models show that statins have neuroprotective effects that may ameliorate the damage inflicted by stroke and AD. Human studies have garnered compelling evidence that treatment with statins reduces ischemic stroke incidence independent of their lipid-lowering effects. There is also the possibility that statins and extremely low cholesterol levels may increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. In this review, we discuss the potential reasons for the effect of statins on stroke and AD, and the multiple mechanisms of action of this class of lipid-lowering drugs.
Reiss
Allison B
AB
Vascular Biology Institute and 2Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA. AReiss@winthrop.org
Wirkowski
Elzbieta
E
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000139:chemically induced; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors