Another study shows statin drug use reduces the risk of dementia
June 13, 2005
Taking a statin drug reduces the risk of all types of dementia, including Alzheimer disease, by 44% according to a large study of 8574 patients published in Neurology (May 2005; 64:1531-8).
Statins are widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs. Nymox Pharmaceutical Corporation (NYMX) holds U.S. and global patent rights for the use of statin drugs for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer disease, the leading cause of dementia in the elderly.
In the study of persons aged 65 or more living in three cities in France, researchers compared the prevalence of dementia among those individuals who took a statin drug to lower their cholesterol against those who did not.
Overall, the prevalence of dementia was 44% lower for those individuals taking a statin to lower cholesterol. Most of the dementia cases observed were Alzheimer disease (65.1%).
Many significant scientific and clinical studies have showed the potential benefits of statin drugs in the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer disease. Studies have shown up to 70% reduction in AD incidence in individuals who use statin drugs.
In addition to recent studies presented at major medical conferences, published peer-reviewed studies include, for example, Archives of Neurology May, 2005; 62:753-7; International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2004; 19:327-32; Neuroepidemiology 2004; 23:94-8; Neuron 2004; 41:7-10; Arch Neurol 2000; 57:1439-1443; Lancet 2000; 356:1627-1631; Arch Neurol 2002; 59:223-227; J Gerontol Biol Sci Med Sci 2002;57:M414-M418; and J Am Geriatr Soc 2002;50:1852-1856.
According to a recent study (Arch Neurol 2003; 60: 1119-1122), there are 4.5 million people with Alzheimer disease in the United States alone; by 2050 this number is projected to increase almost three times to 13.2 million.
Worldwide estimates of the current number of people with Alzheimer disease range from 15 to 20 million. The annual national direct and indirect costs of caring for Alzheimer patients in the U.S. alone is estimated at $100 billion. The human toll on patients, families and caregivers is incalculable. This article was prepared by Pharma Business Week editors from staff and other reports.
Source: Psychology in the News, 10/06/2005