title: Statins in neurological disorders: an overview and update.
abstract: Statins have, at present, the potential to provide a new therapeutic target for various neurological diseases. It is well established that statins reduce cholesterol levels and prevent coronary heart disease. Moreover, evidence suggest that statins have additional properties such as endothelial protection via action on the nitric oxide synthase system as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet effects. These properties might have potential therapeutic implication not only in stroke but also in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and primary brain tumors. In addition to their potent anti-atherosclerotic and cardio-protective effects, compelling clinical and preclinical studies delineate the neuro-protective efficacy of statins in all these neurological disorders. It is apparent from these studies that most patients with central nervous system disorders probably benefit to some extent from lipid-lowering therapy. But data are not univocal, and we must also consider the adverse effects due to the administration of lipid-lowering therapy. Thus, in these scenarios the effectiveness of statins in treating stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, and primary brain tumors have to be conclusively proven in vivo and/or in adequate clinical trials.
authors: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salerno, Italy. Electronic address: amalfitano@unisa.it.
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Malfitano
authors: Neurologia-Stroke Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera dei Colli Napoli, Italy; Brain and Vision Research Laboratory Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Marasco
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salerno, Italy.
authors: Maria Chiara
authors: MC
authors: Proto
authors: Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Napoli 80131, Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Laezza
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salerno, Italy.
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Gazzerro
authors: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy. Electronic address: mbifulco@unisa.it.
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Bifulco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases
keywords: Alzheimer disease; Multiple sclerosis; Neuro-protection; Parkinson's disease; Primary brain tumors; Statins; Stroke