Depressive symptoms also improved with statin plus cholinesterase inhibitor in patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to study presented at heart meeting.

High-dose atorvastatin (Lipitor- Pfizer) slowed mental decline and improved depressive symptoms in people with Alzheimer's disease, according to a small pilot study reported this week at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2004.

“This is the first off-label use of a drug tested in Alzheimer's patients in the last 10 years that has shown promise of benefit,” said presenter D. Larry Sparks, PhD, of the Roberts Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, Ariz.

The Alzheimer's Disease Cholesterol-Lowering Treatment Trial (ADCLT) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study that assessed whether lowering cholesterol with atorvastatin could stabilize or improve cognition in people with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease. Physicians administered the statin drug in addition to cholinesterase inhibitors the patients were already receiving. The study included 46 patients-25 on atorvastatin 80 mg and 21 on placebo-for 1 year.

Mean scores on cognitive scales and depression instruments worsened in patients assigned to placebo but were stable or improved in those taking atorvastatin. Overall, 53% of the atorvastatin-treated group improved or stabilized, while 28% of those taking placebo did so.

“These findings are important because the data show that statin treatment works in excess of the only currently approved therapy for Alzheimer's disease,” Sparks said. “This may prove that two drugs work better than one alone. Larger, multicenter trials are in progress to confirm these findings.”

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