Statins and brain integrity in older adults: secondary analysis of the Health ABC study

Alzheimers Dement. 2015 Oct;11(10):1202-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2014.11.003. Epub 2015 Jan 12.

Abstract

Introduction: We examined whether statins are associated with better cerebral white (WM) and gray matter (GM) indices in community-dwelling elders.

Methods: In 295 older adults, we compared white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on brain magnetic resonance imaging and, total WM fractional anisotropy (FA) and GM mean diffusivity (MD) on diffusion tensor imaging, of Alzheimer's disease (AD) relevant regions in statin-exposed and statin-unexposed participants stratified by Modified Mini-Mental Status Examination (3MS) score.

Results: There was no overall effect of statin exposure on cerebral structural indices. The interaction between statin exposure and 3MS was significant for total-WMH and WM FA (both P < .05) but not GM MD. In the lowest 3MS tertile (mean: 86), statin-exposed individuals had lower total-WMH and higher WM FA (P = .005 and P = .044) and FA of tracts linked to clinical AD (P-value range= .005-.04) despite statistical adjustments. These differences were not significant in the two higher 3MS tertiles.

Discussion: Statins may benefit WM in older adults vulnerable to dementia.

Keywords: Cognition; Fractional anisotropy; Mean diffusivity; Older adults; Statins; White matter hyperintensities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / prevention & control*
  • Anisotropy
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dementia / pathology
  • Dementia / prevention & control*
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Female
  • Gray Matter / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • White Matter / pathology*

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors