A new meta-analysis out of Brazil might hold some clues.
How Are Brain and Heart Health Connected?
People with heart disease have a 27% greater chance of developing dementia compared to those without heart disease.
Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Blood flow may be important for removing amyloid plaques, Schulz said.
Amyloid plaques build up in the brains of people with Alzheimers disease and harm cell function.
A few FDA-approved Alzheimers drugs that help slow disease progression work to reduce amyloid plaques.
Long-term inflammation may also harm brain cells and contribute to the development ofAlzheimers disease.
Since statins can adjust inflammatory pathways, the medications may help reduce nerve cell damage, said Westphal Filho.
Can Statins Cause Cognitive Problems?
High cholesterol can block blood flow to the brain, contributing to dementia development.
Is Memory Loss a Side Effect of Statins?
When Will More Information Be Available?
Two ongoing clinical trialsSTAREE and PREVENTABLEwill help researchers better understand how statins directly influence dementia risk.
More research is underway to determine exactly how statins influence dementia risk.
For now, its safe to keep taking your statin medications to lower cholesterol.
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