[Cholesterol and statins in Alzheimer disease].

Abstract

Two recent observational studies have demonstrated a 60-73% reduction in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in patients treated with statins. In two further studies a polymorphism in the CYP46 gene encoding the cholesterol-24 hydroxylase was found to be associated with a significant increase in the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The question arises whether or not statins may exert a prophylactic effect on the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Statins pass the blood-brain-barrier to a different degree and may reduce the cerebral cholesterol turnover. Statins may also influence the CSF concentration of tau protein, and, to a minor extent, that of A beta. Further studies are warranted to find out which statins are most suitable for reducing cerebral amyloid metabolism and whether statins may also lower the severity of Alzheimer's disease.

• Authors: Gerhard Ransmayr
• Journal: Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) (Wien Med Wochenschr) Vol. 153 Issue 11-12 Pg. 258-9 ( 2003) ISSN: 0043-5341 [Print] Austria
• Vernacular Title: Cholesterin und Statine beim Morbus Alzheimer.
• PMID: 12879635 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticholesteremic Agents
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• Steroid Hydroxylases
• Cholesterol 24-Hydroxylase

Topics

• Alzheimer Disease (genetics, prevention & control)
• Anticholesteremic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Brain (drug effects)
• Cholesterol 24-Hydroxylase
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Hypercholesterolemia (drug therapy)
• Steroid Hydroxylases (genetics)