Statins and Memory

James E. said:

I take 20 mg Zocor (Simvastatin) to reduce my
Cholesterol. I am 75.

I read in several places that stains have a bad effect on
memory. Is there any validity to this?

My memory is not as good as it used to be (searching for
words) and I was wondering if there is a connection. Maybe
it's just my age.

Pharmacotherapy. 2001 Jun;21(6):767-9

Simvastatin-associated memory loss.

Orsi A, Sherman O, Woldeselassie Z.

Pharmacy Program, Bronx VA Medical Center, New York
10468, USA.

The statins are widely used to treat dyslipidemias. They are
generally associated with mild adverse effects, but rarely,
more serious reactions may occur. A 51-year-old man
experienced delayed-onset, progressive memory loss while
receiving simvastatin for hypercholesterolemia. His therapy
was switched to pravastatin, and memory loss resolved
gradually over the next month, with no recurrence of the
adverse effect.

N = 1

James Michael Howard said:

James E. said:

I take 20 mg Zocor (Simvastatin) to reduce my
Cholesterol. I am 75.

I read in several places that stains have a bad effect on
memory. Is there any validity to this?

My memory is not as good as it used to be (searching for
words) and I was wondering if there is a connection.
Maybe it's just my age.

Pharmacotherapy. 2001 Jun;21(6):767-9

Simvastatin-associated memory loss.

Orsi A, Sherman O, Woldeselassie Z.

Pharmacy Program, Bronx VA Medical Center, New York
10468, USA.

The statins are widely used to treat dyslipidemias. They
are generally associated with mild adverse effects, but
rarely, more serious reactions may occur. A 51-year-old
man experienced delayed-onset, progressive memory loss
while receiving simvastatin for hypercholesterolemia. His
therapy was switched to pravastatin, and memory loss
resolved gradually over the next month, with no recurrence
of the adverse effect.

James E. said:

I read in several places that stains have a bad effect on
memory. Is there any validity to this?

It certainly hasn't been proven.