Premium
Statin therapy in Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Sparks D. L.,
Sabbagh M.,
Connor D.,
Soares H.,
Lopez J.,
Stankovic G.,
JohnsonTraver S.,
Ziolkowski C.,
Browne P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2006.00689.x
Subject(s) - atorvastatin , medicine , placebo , dementia , population , randomized controlled trial , statin , clinical trial , disease , physical therapy , pathology , alternative medicine , environmental health
Previous studies have suggested that statin therapy may be of benefit in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). We initiated a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized (1:1) trial with a 1‐year exposure to once‐daily atorvastatin calcium (80 mg; two 40 mg tablets) or placebo among individuals with mild‐to‐moderate AD [Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 12–28]. Stable dose use of cholinesterase inhibitors, estrogen and vitamin E was allowed, as was the use of most other medications in the treatment of co‐morbidities. We demonstrated that atorvastatin treatment produced significantly ( P = 0.003) improved performance on cognition and memory after 6 months of treatment (ADAS‐cog) among patients with mild‐to‐moderate AD. This superior effect persisted at 1 year ( P = 0.055). This positive effect on the ADAS‐cog performance after 6 months of treatment was more prominent among individuals entering the trial with higher MMSE scores ( P = 0.054). Benefit on other clinical measures was identified in the atorvastatin‐treated population compared with placebo. Accordingly, atorvastatin therapy may be of benefit in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderately affected AD patients, but the level of benefit produced may be predicated on earlier treatment. Evidence also suggests that atorvastatin may slow the progression of mild‐to‐moderate AD, thereby prolonging the quality of an afflicted individual's life.