People who have high cholesterol are often given medications known as statins, a class of drugs chemically known as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors.
These drugs reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)cholesterol (which is the kind most strongly linked to coronary artery disease and stroke) by inhibiting a liver enzyme needed for the production of cholesterol. Drugs in this category include ator-vastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor).
In recent years, scientists have begun to uncover a possible link between statins and Alzheimer’s disease. Epidemiological studies found that taking statins, especially simvastatin, was asso¬ciated with a decreased incidence of Alzheimer’s. Prior studies had suggested that people with cardiovascular risk factors also seemed to be at greater risk for Alzheimer’s. Other studies have shown that the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene that carries cholesterol through the body promotes the aggregation of beta-amyloid fragments into the amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer’s. Experts speculate that statins may not only have a preventive effect on the disease, but also may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease in patients who are already diagnosed.
Establishing the effectiveness of statins in combating Alzheimer’s will require more research, including the drug’s effects in people with normal cholesterol levels. At press time, the National Institute on Aging was recruiting patients for a multi-center trial of simvastatin. This is part of a study known as CLASP, or the Cholesterol Lowering Agent to Slow Progression (CLASP) of Alzheimer’s Disease. The study will examine the effect of the drug in 400 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.