Do statins delay onset or slow progression of Alzheimer's dementia?

Abstract

Statins (coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors) should not be used with the single intent to delay the onset or slow the progression of dementia. Large randomized control trials (RCTs) found that the administration of a statin had no significant effect on preventing or slowing all-cause cognitive decline (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on large RCTs with narrow confidence interval). Specifically, there is insufficient evidence that statins delay the onset or slow the progression of Alzheimer's dementia (SOR: B, based on systematic review with heterogeneity). While 3 epidemiologic studies have found a decreased incidence of dementia among those taking statins, these studies have significant methodological shortcomings and do not show a causal relationship (SOR: C, based on poor-quality studies).