title: Are statins protective or harmful to cognitive function?
abstract: In February 2012, the FDA issued safety label changes and monitoring requirements for statin therapy. A risk of cognitive impairment was noted, although evidence was largely based on observational data, including case reports. In 2014, the National Lipid Association's safety task force found that evidence does not support cognitive decline as a classwide effect for statins. Some evidence has shown that statins may actually have beneficial effects on cognition. This article discusses management of statin therapy in patients with cardiovascular risk who may experience cognitive decline or have cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer disease.
authors.affiliation: Cortney M. Mospan is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at East Tennessee State University's Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy in Johnson City, Tenn. She also serves as a clinical pharmacist with ETSU's Mooney Pharmacy. The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Cortney M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mospan
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors