25th November 2004
The full article is on Medscape. Just google "Cognitive impairment associated with atorvastatin and simvastatin."
Pharmacotherapy. 2003 Dec;23(12):1663-7. Related Articles, Links
Cognitive impairment associated with atorvastatin and simvastatin.
King DS, Wilburn AJ, Wofford MR, Harrell TK, Lindley BJ, Jones DW.
Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA. [email]dking@pharmacy.umsmed.edu[/email]
Clinical guidelines for cholesterol testing and management have been updated recently. With the evolving recognition of benefits and intensified recommendations for cholesterol management, many more patients will require cholesterol-lowering drugs. All the statins share similar adverse-effect profiles, with a low overall frequency of undesirable effects. Emerging data associate statins with a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease; however, we report two women who experienced significant cognitive impairment temporally related to statin therapy. One woman took atorvastatin, and the other first took atorvastatin, then was rechallenged with simvastatin. Clinicians should be aware of cognitive impairment and dementia as potential adverse effects associated with statin therapy.
PMID: 14695047 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Conclusion
These two case reports should alert clinicians to the potential adverse effect of cognitive impairment associated with statin therapy. The statin drug class will continue as a cornerstone of dyslipidemia therapy to achieve therapeutic goals and thereby reduce risks for cardiovascular and cerebral vascular disease. In most patients, the statins are effective for lipid management and have a favorable safety profile.
Additional case reports and controlled data are needed to further delineate the relationship between statins and cognitive impairment. Although future studies will continue to explore and add to the information regarding risks and benefits of statin therapy, research is also needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Investigation of these areas may be particularly important since studies have suggested that statins possess adjunctive properties such as neuroprotection and beneficial effects on cerebral circulation. Clinicians in turn should be aware of and monitor for changes in cognitive status temporally associated with statin therapy.
Presented as a poster at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Spring Practice and Research Forum, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 22-25, 2001.
Pharmacotherapy. 2003 Dec;23(12):1663-7. Related Articles, Links
Cognitive impairment associated with atorvastatin and simvastatin.
King DS, Wilburn AJ, Wofford MR, Harrell TK, Lindley BJ, Jones DW.
Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA. [email]dking@pharmacy.umsmed.edu[/email]
Clinical guidelines for cholesterol testing and management have been updated recently. With the evolving recognition of benefits and intensified recommendations for cholesterol management, many more patients will require cholesterol-lowering drugs. All the statins share similar adverse-effect profiles, with a low overall frequency of undesirable effects. Emerging data associate statins with a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease; however, we report two women who experienced significant cognitive impairment temporally related to statin therapy. One woman took atorvastatin, and the other first took atorvastatin, then was rechallenged with simvastatin. Clinicians should be aware of cognitive impairment and dementia as potential adverse effects associated with statin therapy.
PMID: 14695047 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Conclusion
These two case reports should alert clinicians to the potential adverse effect of cognitive impairment associated with statin therapy. The statin drug class will continue as a cornerstone of dyslipidemia therapy to achieve therapeutic goals and thereby reduce risks for cardiovascular and cerebral vascular disease. In most patients, the statins are effective for lipid management and have a favorable safety profile.
Additional case reports and controlled data are needed to further delineate the relationship between statins and cognitive impairment. Although future studies will continue to explore and add to the information regarding risks and benefits of statin therapy, research is also needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Investigation of these areas may be particularly important since studies have suggested that statins possess adjunctive properties such as neuroprotection and beneficial effects on cerebral circulation. Clinicians in turn should be aware of and monitor for changes in cognitive status temporally associated with statin therapy.
Presented as a poster at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Spring Practice and Research Forum, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 22-25, 2001.