Can statins cause dementia?

Researchers looked at data on statin use among 18,446 people, ages 65 or older, who had taken part in a large randomized trial of aspirin. The researchers found that over a follow-up period of almost five years, people who took statins weren't any more likely than non-users to have dementia.

What statin drugs can cause dementia?

The researchers found that of 300 older adults with mildly impaired thinking and memory, those using "lipophilic" statins were more likely to develop dementia over the next eight years. Lipophilic statins include such widely used medications as simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and lovastatin (Altoprev).

Is there a link between dementia and statins?

Our results showed that strong statins, such as rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin, were associated with a larger reduction of dementia, whereas standard statins, such as pravastatin, fluvastatin, and lovastatin, were not associated with a reduction of dementia.

Can statin drugs cause Alzheimer's?

Statins use was associated with dementia risk decrement (relevant risk [RR]: 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80–0.89). Subgroup analysis showed statins use was associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) (RR: 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73–0.89) and non-AD dementia (RR: 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73–0.89) risk decrement.

Do statins cause cognitive decline?

No association between statin use and decline in cognition over time was identified. No differences were found in any of the primary outcomes between users of hydrophilic versus lipophilic statins.

The impact of statins on cognition

At what age should you stop taking statins?

Adults age 75 and older may not need statins.

Many older adults have high cholesterol. Their doctors usually prescribe statins to prevent heart disease. But for older people, there is no clear evidence that high cholesterol leads to heart disease or death.

Why do doctors push statins?

Statins are the go-to treatment option for lowering cholesterol levels and risk of cardiovascular complications, like heart attack and stroke. Statins work by slowing down cholesterol production and enabling the liver to remove low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad cholesterol,” from the bloodstream.

Does statin use cause memory decline in the elderly?

A new study reports that statins do not cause additional memory loss in older adults. Experts note that some people avoid statins because of concerns over dementia, muscle pain, and diabetes risk.

Do statins affect brain function?

Statins have been linked to short-term reversible cognitive impairment since early safety and tolerability testing [13]. During a phase I clinical trial of atorvastatin, escalating doses showed a dose-dependent adverse reaction of mild, transient, restlessness, euphoria, and mental confusion [13].

Do statins reduce life expectancy?

On average, starting a statin brings a mean life expectancy gain of only 7 months. However, this can be viewed an entirely different way: 93% will have no gain in lifespan but 7% will have an enormous gain of 99 months. This alternate perspective has important implications.

What is the downside of taking statins?

While statins are highly effective and safe for most people, they have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems and mental fuzziness in some people who take them and may rarely cause liver damage.

Should you take statins after age 75?

Although the risk of death from heart disease increases with age, a recent NIA-supported study suggests that adults 75 and older who start taking a cholesterol-lowering drug known as a statin may have a lower risk of death than nonusers. Findings were reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

What happens if you stop taking statins?

Stopping your statin has been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular events (like heart attack) and death in patients with coronary artery disease.

Are statins a good idea?

Research has shown that statins are highly effective in reducing the risk of fatal heart attack and stroke.

Do the benefits of statins outweigh the risks?

It's important to remember that all medicines have side effects, and statins are no exception. However, for the majority of people taking statins, the benefits in terms of reduced risk of heart attack or stroke will outweigh the risk of side effects.

What are the long term effects of taking atorvastatin?

Clinical studies revealed Lipitor can damage liver function, and the FDA has received rare post-marketing reports of both fatal and nonfatal liver failure. Other reported liver problems include jaundice, hepatitis, chronic liver damage and fatty changes to the liver.

Do statins cause rapid aging?

Statins may slow human aging by protecting against telomere shortening: A feature of senescent cells. Summary: Not only do statins extend lives by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease, but new research suggests that they may extend lifespans as well.

Can you stop taking statins Once you start?

Do not suddenly stop taking your prescribed medication without talking with your doctor first. If you have side effects from the medication, your doctor might adjust your dosage or recommend a different statin or other combination of medications.

What is the most common side effect of statins?

Most people who take statin drugs tolerate them very well. But some people have side effects. The most common statin side effects include: Headache.

Do all statins cause memory problems?

Despite the large amount of research showing that statins do not cause memory loss, some people may still experience this condition. Talk to your doctor if you are taking statins and experiencing unpleasant side effects. You should not stop taking the medication on your own.

How common is memory loss with statins?

People who took any kind of cholesterol drug—a statin or some other type—were nearly four times more likely to report memory loss right after starting on the drug, compared with people who didn't take any kind of cholesterol drug.

Do statins cause brain fog?

Statins and Brain Fog

While statins have a lot of health benefits and are safe for most people to use, there are some side effects. These can include: Muscle aches and pain. Memory loss or brain fog.

What is the best natural alternative to statins?

Is there a natural substitute for statins?

For patients who can't tolerate cholesterol-lowering statins, natural remedies like bergamot, garlic and green tea may be a useful alternative, based on a recent statement published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Do I really need a statin?

If your risk is very low, you probably won't need a statin, unless your LDL is above 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L). If your risk is very high — for example, you've had a heart attack in the past — a statin may be helpful even if you don't have high cholesterol.