Using statins for Alzheimer's

Statins, or HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors, are widely prescribed to lower cholesterol. Retrospective studies have shown patients given the compounds had a decreased incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) later in their lives. Two studies reported last week support the idea that these drugs may be useful to treat or prevent AD.

Andrx Corp. last week reported that hyperlipidemia patients given its Avicor, an extended release tablet formulation of lovastatin, had diminished blood levels of amyloid-beta, the peptides that are overproduced in patients with inherited AD (see B8). Data from the Phase II study will be published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology in June...