Statins probably do not adversely impact cognition amongst the elderly

Previously published case reports have led to concern regarding the possible effects of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) upon memory and cognition. Australian researchers have recently addressed this issue in a detailed prospective study assessing community-dwelling people aged 70 to 90 years, specifically examining a broad range of co-variates. Over a six year period there was no difference in the rate of decline in memory or global cognition between statin users and never-users. Statin initiation during the observation period was actually associated with a reduction in the rate of memory decline. Statins were associated with attenuated decline in specific memory test performance in participants with heart disease and apolipoprotein Eε4 carriage, and there was no difference in brain volume changes between statin users and never-users. On the basis of these results, the concerns previously expressed regarding the effects of these widely used drugs upon cognition do not appear to be founded.