A 15-year study suggests that statins, commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering medicines, may reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 15%, with earlier use potentially offering greater benefits.
The study, which examined more than 132,000 people in Denmark between 2006 and 2021, found that participants who began taking statins during the study period were 10% less likely to develop dementia. Those who started treatment earlier showed a 15% reduction in risk. The findings were presented at the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and published simultaneously in the Lancet Regional Health Europe.
Prof Isabel Goncalves, a member of the ESC communication committee who was not involved in the research, highlighted the potential significance of the findings, noting that statins are widely available and relatively inexpensive. Statins lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, and may also provide benefits for brain health.
High levels of LDL cholesterol can contribute to the hardening and narrowing of blood vessels, which play a vital role in supplying blood to the brain. Impaired blood flow may increase the risk of dementia. Previous research from the Lancet dementia commission has suggested that addressing modifiable risk factors from childhood could prevent or delay up to 45% of dementia cases.
Dr Tummas Ternhamar, from Copenhagen University Hospital and the presenter of the study, said the findings support a comprehensive approach to dementia prevention.
“Our study supports the idea that dementia risk is best addressed by targeting several factors at once, and that cholesterol may belong on that list,” he said.
Among the 132,585 participants included in the study, 2.7% eventually developed dementia. Researchers found that people who began statin treatment earlier had a 15% lower risk of dementia over a 10-year period, while those who started treatment later had a 10% lower risk.
Researchers are continuing to investigate how statins might influence dementia risk. Dr Ternhamar said statins effectively lower LDL cholesterol and protect against atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that these effects could potentially extend to brain health.
Dr Honorine Lebraud, a senior partnerships manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said the observational study adds to growing evidence linking cardiovascular health with cognitive health.
“It reinforces the fact that what is good for the heart is good for the brain,” she said.
However, experts caution that further research is needed to determine whether statins directly cause a reduction in dementia risk. Prof Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer of the British Heart Foundation, stressed that the study demonstrates a correlation rather than conclusively proving causation.
“That said, there is evidence from trials that do show that statins reduce the risk of dementia, so the findings in this study are certainly plausible,” he said.
With the global number of people living with dementia projected to reach 153 million by 2050, the potential implications of these findings are considerable. Experts estimate that nearly half of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed, making dementia prevention an important area for future health strategies and interventions.
For more health-related news
Follow Health in Five on LinkedIn & Facebook
