Cholesterol Level and Statin Use in Alzheimer Disease: I. Review of Epidemiological and Preclinical Studies Full Text
JAMA Neurology, 10/25/2011
Clinical Article
Shepardson NE et al. – During the last 2 decades, evidence has accumulated that a high cholesterol level may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD). With the global use of statins to treat hypercholesterolemia, this finding has led to the anticipation that statins could prove useful in treating or preventing AD.
- Results of work on this topic are inconsistent: some studies find beneficial effects, but other studies do not.
- In this first segment of a 2-part review, this study examines the complex preclinical and clinical literature on cholesterol level and AD.
- First, epidemiological research on cholesterol level and the risk of AD and discuss the relevance of discrepancies among studies with regard to participants' age and clinical status were reviewed.
- Second, studies were assessed correlating cholesterol level with neuropathological AD type.
- The potential molecular mechanisms for the apparent adverse effects of cholesterol on the development of AD are then discussed.
- Third, preclinical studies of statin use and AD was reviewed.
