Statins and cognitive side effects: what cardiologists need to know.
Statins are widely used in secondary and primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. They reduce cardiovascular events and mortality, and have an excellent safety record. Recent case reports suggest a possible association between statins and adverse effects on cognition. This article reviews recent literature related to statins and cognition and provides recommendations to clinicians. Cognitive considerations should not play a role in decision making for most patients for whom statins are indicated. Future trials of statin, or any novel antilipemic agent should include systematic assessment of cognition.
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Ageing & School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; School of Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: carlos.rojas-fernandez@uwaterloo.ca.
Carlos
C
Rojas-Fernandez
University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, 10 Victoria St S, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1C5, Canada.
Zain
Z
Hudani
Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, LHRB 310, 701 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Vera
V
Bittner
D002309:Cardiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Adverse drug effects; Cognition; Drug safety; Iatrogenesis; Memory; Statins