Statin drugs have long had a reputation of producing
“brain fog” in some new users.
Hence, there’s been a long-term worry from some experts
that statins may raise the risk of dementia with long-term use.
So it should come as great news that a study of more than
57000 Taiwanese (none of whom had any
signs or symptoms of dementia at the start of the study) just presented at the
European Society of Cardiology meeting in Amsterdam has concluded just the
opposite, specifically that long-term users of the more “powerful” statins such
as atorvostatin (Lipitor) or rosuvastatin (Crestor) had significantly lower risks of dementia than
non-users or those who were using weaker statins such as lovastatin.
Why?
Well, as usual, no one knows for sure but it’s presumed
that long-term use of powerful statins lowers the risk of vascular injury to
the brain, just as it lowers the risk of vascular injury to the heart, and that
in turn decreases the risk of dementia.
Should you start taking statins to lower your risk of
dementia?
No, but if you’re already on them, especially atorvastatin
or rosuvastatin, here’s yet another good reason to take your meds faithfully.
