Cholesterol-reducing drugs (statins) may lessen brain function, says ISU researcher

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2009/feb/shin.shtml

02-23-09

Contacts:

Yeon-Kyun Shin, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, [phone], [e-mail]

Dan Kuester, News Service, 515-294-0704, [e-mail]

Cholesterol-reducing drugs may lessen brain function, says ISU researcher

AMES, Iowa -- Research by an Iowa State University scientist suggests that cholesterol-reducing drugs known as statins may lessen brain function.

Yeon-Kyun Shin, a biophysics professor in the department of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, says the results of his study show that drugs that inhibit the liver from making cholesterol may also keep the brain from making cholesterol, which is vital to efficient brain function.

"If you deprive cholesterol from the brain, then you directly affect the machinery that triggers the release of neurotransmitters," said Shin. "Neurotransmitters affect the data-processing and memory functions. In other words -- how smart you are and how well you remember things."

Shin's findings will be published in this month's edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

…

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Well then, that explains...

Nasty old right-wing curmudgeons.

[crikkett]

2. My eyes are dim - I read that as 'brain friction' and clicked, hoping for

some sort of zombie image

[GliderGuider]

3. Statins also interfere with the synthesis pathway for coenzyme Q10

CoQ10 is essential for the mitochondria in the cell nuclei to produce energy. CoQ10 is most prevalent in the muscles and -- you guessed it -- the brain. One of the side effects of statin therapy can be rhabdomyolysis, which is an extreme muscle wasting condition, but a much more common side effect is muscle weakness and muscle pain (myopathy). Less CoQ10 -> less cellular energy -> loss of muscle function. Since CoQ10 plays a very important role in the brain's energy production as well, it doesn't surprise me in the least that there's loss of brain function associated with statin use. As Shin points out, cholesterol is also important for brain function, so by taking statins you are exposing yourself to a potential double whammy. Merck recognizes this risk, and has patented a combination drug containing statins and Coenzyme Q10.

Here's an article that discusses this: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/537984

Personally I don't care how high my cholesterol goes, I will never, under any circumstances, take a statin. I think their risk/benefit ratio is much too high.

[happyslug]

6. What if the number goes above 1000?

At that point I started taking Statins (And Niacin, Zetia and Tricor). I can say one thing, I have not had angina for over the 20 years I have been on Statins, but had angina (i.e. pain to the heart) when I was in my early 20s BEFORE I went on Stalins.

Now I know I am an extreme case, but watch what you say never, sometime it may be the only choice you have.

[GliderGuider]

7. I'm just speaking for myself, in my situation

I'm 58 years old with no familial cardiac history. The last time I had my cholesterol checked about 10 years ago it was around 7.3, or somewhat elevated (~280), but with good HDL levels and no other blood markers (homocysteine and CRP were fine, for example). The research I did at the time convinced me that for someone in my situation taking statins would only benefit the drug companies. As we age the probable benefit from statins declines, except for men who have already had a heart attack AND have elevated levels.

While there are cases like yours where the benefits do appear to outweigh the risks, for a typical sales target like me a bit of healthy skepticism seers appropriate.

[GoesTo11]

4. Whuh?

Could you tell if your brain function was decreasing? (if the change was more subtle than in Flowers for Algernon)? How much would statins decrease it?

From what I can tell, the article doesn't actually find a direct link to brain function, but does find a link to synthesis of cholesterol, and puts 2 & 2 together with cholesterol and brain function.

Anyway, I don't feel dumber, but maybe I is.

[Nihil]

5. Is that before or after you start taking them ...?

:hide:

[eppur_se_muova]

8. Um ... maybe post in Health forum? nt