Researchers recruited 1,037 adults aged between 70 and 90, who undertook a series of tests to assess their overall cognition and memory. Statins are widely used drugs in the UK. The NHS acknowledged that, while statins are "widely used drugs" in the UK, there have been some concerns raised over possible side effects. That could mean people prescribed statins have less memory loss – but not because of the statin. The Sun said the drugs "may even protect OAPs against Alzheimers". The researchers say this is possible. Cohort studies are good ways to spot links (or rule out links) between suspected risk factors – in this case statins – and outcomes such as memory loss. Uncommon side effects of statins include: being sick; memory problems; hair loss; pins and needles; inflammation of the liver , which can cause flu-like symptoms; inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause stomach pain; skin problems, such as acne or an itchy red rash If you are taking statins it is recommended that you do not stop taking them without speaking to a GP. This followed a decision by the UK’s Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to add memory problems to the list of possible statin side-effects … In addition, researchers conducted MRI brain scans, with around half (529) measuring brain volume. Researchers then looked to see whether people who had never taken statins had more or less decline in cognition and memory over six years, compared to people who: All participants showed some decline in memory and cognition over the six years, regardless of whether they took statins or not. The FDA warns on statin labels that some people have developed memory loss or confusion while taking statins. People who took any kind of cholesterol drug—a statin or some other type—were nearly four times more likely to report memory loss right after starting on the drug, compared with people who didn't take any kind of cholesterol drug. Some statin users … It is unclear what the significance of this finding is. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says they can be offered to people with a 10% risk of having a heart attack in the next 10 years. This meant that people who participated in all the tests would have taken them four times in total. The study found no link between the drugs and mental decline. At the end of the study, researchers did not find any differences in memory and thinking ability between participants who took statins and those who did not. Menu The health body said that the research "seems to suggest" that any fears over a link between such medication and cognitive decline or memory loss are "unfounded". Memory loss is a documented side effect of statin drugs. This includes eating a healthier diet and limiting alcohol consumption, with statins likely to be recommended should these measures not help. They filled in health questionnaires, were weighed and measured, and took a series of tests to assess their overall cognition and memory. Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for high cholesterol in the United States. But concerns have been raised about offering statins to people who are otherwise healthy, because of the possible risk of side effects. The NHS acknowledged that, while statins are "widely used drugs" in the UK, there have been some concerns raised over possible side effects. It stated that previous trials of such medication had not looked at memory or cognition specifically and so praised the new study as "good news" for those with concerns. The reasons for this link are explained by Be Brain Fit: It comes following a new study by researchers in Australia which suggested that the cholesterol-lowering drugs should not be associated with a decline in memory or cognition. So researchers adjusted the results to take account of a range of potential confounding factors including: They looked to see whether, after taking these factors into account, people who had never taken statins had more or less decline in cognition and memory over 6 years, compared to people who: All the people in the study showed some decline in memory and cognition over 6 years, regardless of whether they took statins or not. However, they do not explain how the link came about, so even if the study had found a link, it would not prove that statins were the cause of memory loss. While the study found evidence that some people who started statins during the 6-year trial had slower memory loss, that does not mean they were protected against Alzheimer’s disease by statins. The study was funded by the Australian Government's National Health and Medical Research Council and published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American College of Cardiology. In addition, researchers asked people to take MRI brain scans. The researchers said: "Statin use in the elderly population was not associated with any acceleration in decline in memory, global cognition, or brain volumes in community-dwelling elderly Australians." Find out more about statins and why they are used. Complete data was only available for 55% of the people who started the study, and those who dropped out were older and had lower cognitive scores. They were followed up for 6 years, with 12 tests of their cognition and memory repeated every 2 years, so that people who took all the tests took them 4 times in total. explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. Statins are widely used drugs in the UK. The health body said that the research "seems to suggest" that any fears over a link between such medication and cognitive decline or memory loss are "unfounded". However, some people have reported problems with memory or thinking abilities (cognition) after starting statins. The significance of the reported "protection" against memory loss for people starting statins is unclear. The research was funded by the Australian Government's National Health and Medical Research Council and involved over 1,000 elderly adults who participated in a series of tests over a six-year period. Sr, Crawford JD, et al them without speaking to a GP first GP first is documented. 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