title: Remembering Statins: Do Statins Have Adverse Cognitive Effects?
abstract: The issue of statin-associated cognitive impairment has been a hot topic among both patients and health care providers, especially since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement regarding rare postmarketing reports of ill-defined cognitive impairment associated with statin use. This statement was based on case reports, and no objective measures of cognitive function were used. Nevertheless, many patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease have expressed concerns about possible cognitive decline and may have opted to forgo statin therapy. In this overview, the evidence leading to the statement by the FDA is reviewed. Potential mechanisms of the effect of LDL cholesterol reduction and statin therapy on cognition are discussed. Evidence from observational and prospective randomized trials is summarized, leading to the conclusion that as for now, there is no good evidence that statins cause cognitive impairment to a significant degree. Reported cases seem to be rare, and a causal relationship has not been established.
authors.affiliation: The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel rafael.bitzur@sheba.health.gov.il.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bitzur
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors