Cholesterol drug may slow Alzheimer’s disease

	Tweet

Treatment with the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) may be of benefit to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, slowing the progressive deterioration in brain function and behavior, according to results of a pilot study.

Previous studies have shown that elevated cholesterol levels in midlife increase the later risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. D. Larry Sparks and colleagues note in their report, published in the Archives of Neurology.

Furthermore, some studies have suggested that “statin” drugs like Lipitor may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life, they add.

The current study involved 63 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease randomly assigned to treatment with Lipitor (atorvastatin) or an inactive “placebo.” Fifty-six patients completed the 6-month check-up, 48 the 9-month visit and 46 the 1-year visit.

At 6 months, scores on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale, a test of cognitive ability, were significantly better in the Lipitor group and remained elevated at 12 months.
-----------------------------
Lipitor
Lipitor is used for those who have abnormally High cholesterol levels. When taken together with a low-fat diet, this medicine can effectively reduce LDL cholesterol, commonly referred to as the “bad” cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and total cholesterol, while increasing the HDL, or “good” cholesterol.

Order Lipitor online !
-----------------------------

Moreover, scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale were also significantly better in the Lipitor group.

This study was partially funded by Pfizer Inc., the maker of Lipitor.

SOURCE: Archives of Neurology, May 2005.

RELATED STORIES:
Commonly Used Pain Medications Do Not Prevent Alzheimers Disease   Sibling contact early in life reduces MS risk   Clotting agent improves stroke survival   Eye Cell Implants Improve Motor Symptoms for Parkinson Patients   Researchers Get Closer to Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease   Diagnosis Can Help Hurt Runners Get Back On Their Feet Faster   Sound training rewires dyslexic children’s brains for reading   Genetic Clues to Rare Childhood Disorder   60 second test could help early diagnosis of common brain diseases   What are the medical and life style measures for preventing a stroke?   B-Vitamin Deficiency May Cause Vascular Cognitive Impairment   Concussions keep hockey players off ice for longer

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]