Statins Will Most Likely Not Result In Memory Loss

New findings published in JAMA reveal that statins are unlikely to result in memory loss.

Researchers at Rutgers University found that while some statin users reported a link between the cholesterol-lowering drugs and cognitive impairment, the potentially life-saving medications can still help to prevent extensive health complications.

During the study, researchers examined over 482,542 individuals taking statin medications and 482,543 selected individuals not taking any LLDs. A control group of 26,484 non stain LLDs users were also included.

Findings revealed that more statin users reported memory loss over a 30-day period when first prescribed the drugs than when compared with non-users, which was also true for those taking nonstatin LLDs.

"Either it means that anything that lowers cholesterol has the same effect on short-term memory, which is not scientifically credible because you're dealing with drugs with completely different structures," said lead study author Brian L. Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), in a news release.

Furthermore, researchers added that "detection bias," or a phenomenon in which patients prescribed a new drug are more attuned to their health and make more frequent doctor visits, could be playing a role.

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