No links found between statin use and memory loss

Despite case reports of memory problems linked to the use of statins in older people, data from the large studies of statins to date find no apparent association.

Why are memory problems showing [up] in case studies, yet not in these huge trials? We don’t really know. They added that several factors make it hard to discern or rule out an association. Older adults are clearly less well represented in these studies of statins. In many of the studies, there is a wash-in period where the person is put on the drug to see if they can tolerate it. It’s possible that some [elderly] patients are dropping out during the wash-in period.

Interim head of the section of geriatric medicine at the Cleveland Clinic said they became aware of the purported statins-forgetfulness link when one of her patients brought in the book, who is a retired family physician and former NASA astronaut.

The book and some other published literature cite case reports of memory loss, myopathy, ataxia, diminished muscle function, and impaired diastolic function with statin use.

Some of the reports suggest that the problems resolved once the statin was discontinued. Proposed but unproven culprits in these accounts include reduced concentrations of coenzyme Q10 and fat-soluble vitamins in older people who take statins, and impaired mitochondrial function.

The statin trials published to date have demonstrated liver-function abnormalities from the drugs but not the symptoms described in the case reports.

They added that if statins do turn out to be more of a problem than currently expected, new lipid-lowering drugs are in the pipeline, including the cholesterylester transfer protein inhibitor anaceptrapib, LDL preceptor protein with berberine, and apoliprotein A-1 Milano-phospholipid complex.

Targeting lipids by adding fish oil to the diet is possible but not very practical.

According to the American Heart Association, a person’s blood-triglyceride concentration can be reduced by as much as 45% by consuming 2-6g of fish oil twice per week.

However, that amounts to more than six servings of tuna or three servings of salmon, that’s a lot of fish.

Fish oil is available in capsules, but a person might have to take multiple capsules daily to get much of an anti-cholesterol effect.

Adverse effects of fish oil include gastrointestinal upset and possible increased risk of bleeding.