Statins May Indicate Reduced Dementia

These two studies raise more concerns than they solve. Why are larger doses of statins needed to reduce the risk of dementia. At the same time, other studies are finding more muscle and joint problems with the increased dosage of statins and more cases of type 2 diabetes.


This also raises the issue of which statins were being used by patient numbers, possible ethnic variables, and the correct dosage to cause the reduced dementia. I therefore agree with Professor Jose Gonzalez-Juanatey, University Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, who said, "These new data suggest that high-potency statins may reduce the incidence of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation and in elderly patients. Nevertheless, before we can know for sure that statins may prevent dementia, a clinical trial confirming these findings is mandatory."


At the same time, Seth S. Martin, MD, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, who is conducting a systematic review of the literature on statins and cognition/dementia, said, “These current results fit in well with existing studies.”


This leaves things unsaid and especially what conflicts of interest have not been disclosed. While some statistics are shown for the different statins in the press release, no patient numbers are matched to the statins and an attempt to obtain to details of the two studies was unsuccessful. So I am left wondering who funded the study?


I am less concerned about these two studies having some solid evidence and the information not being cooked by Big Pharma than I was about the information I used in this blog. However, I remain concerned about conflicts of interest.