Cholesterol Drugs

A class of drugs widely used to lower cholesterol may help lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

A new study published in January issue of PLoS Medicine suggests that a class of drugs widely used to lower cholesterol may also help keep brains healthy and lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

In Alzheimer's disease, deposits accumulate in the brain, which makes it harder for the brain to function properly. These deposits are made of protein fragments that are taken from the amyloid precursor protein or APP.

APP breaks down the protein fragments in two different ways. One type of cleavage yields sticky fragments that stick together to form deposits in the brain. But in the second type of cleavage, which involves a different enzyme to break down APP, the process creates a soluble substance that doesn't form deposits.

The statin drugs Lipitor and Zocor increased the second, healthy type of cleavage that reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, long-term use of the cholesterol-lowering drugs may help reduce risk of memory-robbing deposits and Alzheimer's disease.