Treatment with simvastatin in normocholesterolemic patients with Alzheimer's disease: A 26‐week randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trial

Abstract
In a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study, we investigated whether statins alter cholesterol metabolites and reduce Aβ levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of 44 patients with Alzheimer's disease. Individuals were given up to 80mg simvastatin daily or placebo for 26 weeks. Overall, simvastatin did not significantly alter cerebrospinal fluid levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42. In post hoc analysis, simvastatin significantly decreased Aβ40 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The reduction of Aβ40 correlated with the reduction of 24S‐hydroxycholesterol. These changes were not observed in more severely affected patients.
Funding Information
  • MSD
  • Bundesministerium für Bildung, Forschung, Wissencraft und Technologie (01EC9402)