Researchers tracking more than 132,000 people in Denmark between 2006 and 2021 found that cholesterol-reducing medications called statins were associated with lower dementia risk, according to findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology annual congress and published in the Lancet Regional Health Europe journal.
Among participants in the study, those who initiated statin treatment during the tracking period showed a 10% lower relative risk of developing dementia. Those who started the medication earlier achieved a 15% lower relative risk. The protective effects were similar in both women and men. Overall, 2.7% of the 132,585 participants developed dementia during the study period.
Researchers believe statins may protect brain health by reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, which can harden or narrow blood vessels supplying the brain. High LDL cholesterol has been linked to increased dementia risk through its role in plaque formation and disruptions to cerebral blood flow. The study’s lead researcher noted that statin effects on dementia risk appear to depend on timing, with earlier intervention showing superior outcomes compared to later treatment initiation.
All participants in the study had type 2 diabetes. Researchers suggested findings could eventually support offering statins more broadly as part of a comprehensive dementia prevention strategy alongside physical activity and healthy diet. However, experts cautioned that the observational nature of the research demonstrates an association rather than proving causation. Ongoing investigations are examining the precise mechanisms through which statins may influence dementia development.
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