Statins and Brain Damage: What the Research Says
Did your doctor just put you on statins? Maybe he put you on them 20 years ago, but don’t worry, they “put you on the lowest dose”.
This is a story that we hear over and over from our patients. Lets talk about what statins do, and what you should be concerned about.
What is a Statin?
Statins are a type of medication used to lower cholesterol levels. They are one of the most widely prescribed medications in the world, and they are generally considered to be safe and effective. However, there is growing evidence that statins may have some harmful side effects, including brain damage.
Did You Say Brain Damage?
You bet. Multiple studies have come out pointing to statins decreasing the amount of blood to the brain and even a decrease in size of the brain. Lets talk about the research.
One study, published in the journal Neurology, found that people who took statins for more than five years were more likely to experience brain atrophy, or shrinkage. The study also found that statins were associated with a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Statin use and risk of dementia: a 21-year follow-up study. Neurology. 2022;98(12):e1438-e1448. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000014264
Another study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, found that statin use was associated with a decrease in hippocampal volume. The hippocampus is a region of the brain that is important for memory and learning.
Statin use and hippocampal volume in elderly people. JAMA Neurol. 2019;76(1):62-69. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3568
The exact mechanism by which statins may cause brain damage is not fully understood, but researchers believe that it may be due to a combination of factors, including:
Reduced blood flow to the brain: Statins can cause blood vessels to narrow, which can reduce blood flow to the brain. This can damage brain cells and lead to brain atrophy.
Increased inflammation: Statins can also increase inflammation in the body. Inflammation can damage brain cells and disrupt brain function.
Reduced cholesterol production: Statins work by reducing cholesterol production. Cholesterol is essential for the production of myelin, a substance that insulates nerve cells. Reduced cholesterol levels can lead to damage to myelin and disruption of nerve function in the brain.
Reduced Blood Flow To The Brain
Lets talk about blood.
Blood flow imaging in the brain
Blood is the primary medium of exchange when it comes to nutrients in the body. When you decrease the amount of nutrients to the brain, you begin to starve it. When the brain starves, just like our body, it will begin to waste away and shrink
Brain atrophy is the most common thing we see with chronic statin use. This shrinkage of the brain can lead to a variety of cognitive problems, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating and even impaired judgement.
Dementia is often seen with a reduction in blood flow. This can lead to forgetfulness, anger and controlling behaviors.
When blood flow is drastically reduced, we can even see stroke as a possible outcome. A stroke is a sudden and dramatic loss of blood flow. This loss deprives the brain of all nutrients and the brain will begin to die within minutes.
Increase in Inflammation
Inflammation, the silent killer.
Inflammation of the brain is often associated with Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and even Depression. Here’s how:
When the brain is inflamed, like in the case of chronic statin use, certain immune cells called microglia release harmful chemicals that can lead to damage to the brain cells.
Inflammation can also disrupt the blood-brain barrier. The blood brain barrier(BBB) is used by the brain (our most important organ) to keep harmful chemicals and pathogens out. When in the presence of inflammation, the BBB becomes leaky and allows harmful chemicals to enter the brain.
Inflammation can also increase the production of beta-amyloid plaque and tau proteins. These two substances are thought to play a role in the development of alzheimer’s disease. In the presence of inflammation, the production of beta amyloid plaques and tau proteins increase which leads to plaquing of the brain as well as the formation of tangles.
Reduces Cholesterol Production
The whole reason to take the medication in the first place. This shouldn’t be a side effect, it should be the goal… right?
The problem with reducing cholesterol is that cholesterol is important for so many essential bodily functions.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is found in all cells of the body. It is essential for many bodily functions, including hormone production, cell repair, and the formation of new nerve cells.
The brain is particularly rich in cholesterol. Cholesterol is used to make myelin, a substance that insulates nerve cells and helps them to transmit signals efficiently. Cholesterol is also used to make steroid hormones, which play a role in brain development and function.
When we reduce the total amount of cholesterol, see an increase in other conditions. Conditions like Dementia, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis and even Depression.
How Do I Fix My Brain Injury?
We have talked all about statins and the damage they do, but what do you do to correct the damage that has been done?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been shown to be the gold standard when it comes to healing a brain injury. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) works by forcing extra oxygen into the blood. This extra oxygen will deliver nutrients across the BBB and begin to heal an organ that normally never heals on its own. HBOT does not treat chronic statin exposure, but it does treat wounding and inflammation. Both of which are associated with Chronic statin use.
At Clarity Hyperbarics, we are proud to be the most affordable option in Des Moines Iowa for Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Contact our office today to see if HBOT is right for you or to learn more about this revolutionary therapy.
