An evidence-based review of neuronal cholesterol role in dementia and statins as a pharmacotherapy in reducing risk of dementia

Dutta S 1 , Rahman S 2 , Ahmad R 3 , Kumar T 4 , Dutta G 5 , Banerjee S 6 Show all authors , Abubakar AR 7 , Rowaiye AB 8 , Dhingra S 9 , Ravichandiran V 10 , Kumar S 11 , Sharma P 12 , Haque M 13 , Charan J 1

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Gujrat, India
  • 2 School of Medicine, American University of Integrative Sciences, Bridgetown, Barbados
  • 3 Department of Physiology, Medical College for Women and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • 4 Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
  • 5 Department of Community Medicine, Neigrihms, Shillong, India
  • 6 Medical-Surgical Nursing, Rsvm College of Nursing, Jodhpur, India
  • 7 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
  • 8 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • 9 Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hajipur, India
  • 10 Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Kolkata, Kolkata, India
  • 11 Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, India
  • 12 Department of Pharmacognosy, BVM College of Pharmacy, Gwalior, India
  • 13 Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kem Perdana Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Expert Rev Neurother, 2021 12;21(12):1455-1472.
PMID: 34756134 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.2003705

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder impairing memory and cognition. Alzheimer's Disease, followed by vascular dementia - the most typical form. Risk factors for vascular dementia include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia. Lipids' levels are significantly associated with vascular changes in the brain.

AREAS COVERED: The present article reviews the cholesterol metabolism in the brain, which includes: the synthesis, transport, storage, and elimination process. Additionally, it reviews the role of cholesterol in the pathogenesis of dementia and statin as a therapeutic intervention in dementia. In addition to the above, it further reviews evidence in support of as well as against statin therapy in dementia, recent updates of statin pharmacology, and demerits of use of statin pharmacotherapy.

EXPERT OPINION: Amyloid-β peptides and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles are markers of Alzheimer's disease. Evidence shows cholesterol modulates the functioning of enzymes associated with Amyloid-β peptide processing and synthesis. Lowering cholesterol using statin may help prevent or delay the progression of dementia. This paper reviews the role of statin in dementia and recommends extensive future studies, including genetic research, to obtain a precise medication approach for patients with dementia.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications