This is not the first time statins have been implicated in memory loss, and the question of whether statins produce this side effect has been studied several times, although imperfectly. The verdict so far: The evidence is conflicting and the question is unsettled. The latest clinical study examining whether statins are associated with cognitive deficits was published this month in the journal Neurology, in which no such association was found in 1000 patients taking statins.
While Dr. Etingin might have used less inflammatory language in describing this potential problem, one can sympathize with her frustration. She is certain she's seen memory deficits caused by statins, but clinical trials have failed to confirm that statins can do this, and as a result the potential of statin-induced memory problems is not even on the radar of most doctors. If her aim was to finally focus attention on the issue, one would have to say she has succeeded quite nicely.
But do statins really cause memory deficits? Unfortunately we are stuck with the same answer we hear all too often: More studies are needed.
DrRich Comments:
While we wait for the proverbial "more studies," what should doctors and patients do about the possibility that statins can produce memory deficits?
First, keep in mind that even if it turns out that statins can cause this problem, the incidence appears to be quite low, and apparently the problem is reversible. That is, it goes away if statins are stopped.
Second, add the potential for memory deficits to the list of reasons you shouldn't take statins (or any other drug) unless there's a good reason to. This article outlines the situations in which statin therapy is particularly important in preventing heart attacks and early death.
Third, if you or a loved one are taking statins and notice some change in cognitive ability, bring it to the attention of your doctor - and remind him/her that there's at least a possibility that the statins may be involved.
Fourth, remember that there are scores of things that can produce memory deficits, and even if it turns out statins can cause this problem, it's likely that most patients who experience memory problems while taking statins will have one of these other causes. This, indeed, is likely why it has been so difficult to "prove" an association between cognitive problems and statins.
Finally, don't stop taking your statins for any reason without talking to your doctor.
Sources:
Arvanitakis Z, Schneider JA, Wilson RS, et al. Statins, incident Alzheimer disease, change in cognitive function, and neuropathology. Neurology 2008 DOI:10.1212/01.wnl.0000288181.00826.63.
Regrettably, in a world in which Big Pharma advertises, it takes a pretty startling headline to get a story into print.
One of the problems here is that there is inadequate testing of meds on women, much less on non whites. Big Pharma relies on the male medical model, which frequently is not only inapplicable to women (baby aspirin doesn’t do anything for us except make us bruise more easily, and heart attacks are often ignored in women, because we don’t get the male oriented crushing symptoms). Big Pharma also has a huge financial incentive to cover up, or at least to minimize, negative consequences that might lower sales.
I think we might still be able to say that Big Pharma just doesn’t go looking for trouble, at present, so it never finds it. But I also think given the current slough of regulation, they’re probably capable of, and are, actually covering up things they do find.
Statins aren’t the only questionable product. I’m surprised that no one has pointed out that many blood pressure meds will also “make you stupid”
The difference in my concentration and memory abilities is different when I am taking statins… to the point that I stopped taking them for a bit while I was going through a very busy time at my job so that I would function better. Since I have had a heart attack that is not a long term solution, but it did make a big difference. Studies are needed, but I guess unless someone is bleeding to death, it is just not as big a deal. Frustration, embarassment, poor job performance and reviews, and challenges due to memory lapses should not be the price we pay for taking statins if there is an option. Nor should those of us with this issue be looked at with an attitude of something is wrong with us personally, yet that is where alot of physicians place us. If all of us are honest, we know that sometimes medicines have repercussions… I feel we just need to finally admit that one of our magic bullets may have some challenges, find out what it is specifically, and deal with it. The medical community is certainly smart enough to do that, if they want to.
I too was taking 40 mg Lipitor for a period of time and I experienced short term memory recollection and concentration problems. I could not explain it in scientific terms, the the experience was that I could not complete thought processes and “tip-of-the-tongue” thoughts would never come through in communication. Once I refused to stay on Lipitor and simply quit on my own, I recovered. I am now taking Advicor, twice a day. I still experience memory problems but on very rare occasions. There is some merit to the memory loss suggestions in my subjective opinion. The question is quality of life, to be Alzheimer like, or clogged arteries?
I have taken statin drugs and have had a bad reaction to all of them. I firmly believe I would be deceased if i had continued taking them. They may help some but certainly not all.
I’ve had a heart attack and bypass surgery, so I can’t afford to give up statins on a permanent basis. I did take a “vacation” from my medication to confirm my theory. It’s a vicious circle. Statins interfere with my sleep, which makes me tired which makes me forgetful, which looks like “stupid” to others. I’m open to suggestions for alternatives. I appreciate the comments in columns like this one. In the meantime, I carry a pen and paper and hope I jot my thoughts down before they evaporate.
A few years ago I had a triple by-pass operation. The day I came home
from the hospital I had a heart attack because one of the by-pass grafts
died. I then checked back into the same hospital and had an angioplasty
with two stents placed. The two stents were drug eluded but I now know that
these type of stents can cause a sudden heart attack if one goes off the
drug Plavix. I tried two different meds. for my heart including Lipitor
and had side effects which caused me to quit taking them. So for several
years now I have been researching all this and what alternatives I have. You too should do your own research and make your own wise decision. So
far I have learned that Statins can cause Cancer in lab rats and animals. I
decided I would rather take my chances with Heart disease than with Cancer.
I think one has a better fighting chance that way. There are other alternatives
to fight Heart disease such as Chelation which is a roto rooter treatment.
Nitric oxide therapy is another promising treatment on the horizon. Most
heart attacks are caused by inflamation. This inflamation is what starts it all
in forming a blockage. At least around 50 % of Heart attacks are caused by
minor lesions of around 20 % occlusion erupting instead of the 80-100 % blockages.
:I personally think One could have possibly thousands of these lesions
through out ones body. If this is the truth then why should Americans put
up with this. We should demand Congress to stop letting big Pharma use us
as guinea pigs to test their latest concoctions. You and I are RIGHT NOW the
test rats for STATINS. We need a drug that will dissolve the plaque in our
arteries quickly and reduce or stop inflamation fast. Chelation is the only
treatment that comes close to doing this! Big pharma down plays this because
there is not enough profit in it. Bypass operations, angioplasty, and statins
should be a last resort effort. We need preventative therapy that is safe
and works NOW.
I was on statins for some years and they lowered my cholesterol considerably. I’ve stopped taking them now – but I’ve forgotten why.
I was one of those, who at age 50 had dramatic memory problems after six weeks of taking statins. As my cholesterol has been 280 without meds since age 24, when first tested, my doctor was reluctant to let me stop the statins. But I did stop, and much to my relief and my family’s relief, the memory problems disappeared with a few weeks.
Trying to convince physicians that there is a potential link between statins and sudden-onset memory problems is so difficult. It seems that everyone who went thru Medical School believes that statins are necessary for any slightly elevated cholesterol levels, regardless if it has been proven thru tests that there is no plaque problem in the individual. I’m fighting with my 82 year old mother’s doctors about this now. A $25K test showed her arteries are “like an 18 yr olds” but she’s on statins because her total cholesterol was 195. And big surprise, since taking the statins, she’s developed memory problems which get more severe daily.
Has everyone in the medical community drunk the Kool-aid?
Recently came upon the article statins re memory loss. Several years ago my doctor placed me on a statin drug. After several years it did indeed lower my chloresterol level. However for the past few years the chloresterol level has been well below normal. For quite a while I have noticed a considerable change in my memory. Based upon other individuals statements, I plan on discontinuing the use of my statin drug. In addition, my wife has Alzheimers and recently the doctor increased her dosage of a statin drug. She certainly does not need anything that is going to further affect her memory. My inclination now is to discontinue the taking statin drugs for the both of us. Another thing is the fact that some people in their 90’s have a chloresterol level far higher than what is supposed to be “normal” Question is: Why have they lived so long? This is a question that doctors will and cannot answer.