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Do Statin Drugs Cause Parkinson’s

The Link Between Statins And Memory Loss

5 Important & Clinically Proven Reasons You Should NOT Take Statin Drugs – by Dr Sam Robbins

While statin users have reported memory loss to the FDA, studies havent found evidence to support these claims. Research has actually suggested the opposite that statins may help prevent Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia.

In a 2013 review, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine looked at 41 different studies on statins to see if there was a link between taking the medication and memory loss. Combined, the studies followed 23,000 men and women with no history of memory problems for up to 25 years.

The researchers found no evidence that using statins caused memory loss or dementia. In fact, there was some evidence that long-term statin use may protect against dementia.

Scientists believe this is because certain types of dementia are caused by small blockages in blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. Statins may help to reduce these blockages.

There remains some uncertainty about whether statins affect memory.

A 2015 study found that a small group of patients taking statins experienced amnesia. However, that finding may have been insignificant. The percentage of people taking statins who reported memory issues wasnt much different from those taking other cholesterol-lowering medications.

Like most medications, statins do have side effects. Other reported risks and side effects include:

  • muscle pain and weakness

Data Management And Confidentiality

Research teams at all sites ensure that participants anonymity is maintained for all documents.

Data are collected and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 1998 and General Data Protection Regulation, 2018. Within the CTU, pseudonymised paper-based study data are stored in locked filing cabinets within a locked office. Electronic records are stored in a Structured Query Language server database, stored on a restricted access, secure server maintained by the University of Plymouth. The study website is encrypted using Secure Sockets Layer . Study data are double-data entered on to a password-protected database within the CTU, with copies retained at the relevant study site. Double-entered data are compared for discrepancies using an established procedure to verify data entry. Discrepant data are verified using the original paper data sheets. Direct access to the trial data is overseen by the CTU, and restricted to members of the research team and the CTU, with access granted to the sponsor on request. Copies of study data retained at study sites are securely stored for the duration of the study prior to archiving.

Statins May Increase Risk Of Parkinsons Disease

The researchers in this Penn State study analyzed data from a database of over 50 million people, 22,000 of whom had Parkinsons disease. Of that sample, they reduced it to 2,322 patients with new diagnoses of Parkinsons. Then, they paired;each person within the sample size to another individual without Parkinsons, and those people made up the control group.

Researchers then established which patients had been taking Statins and how long theyd been taking them for before they developed Parkinsons symptoms. Their findings suggested that prior Statin use resulted in a higher risk of Parkinsons and, interestingly enough,;was more noticeable during the start of the drug use.

Statin use was associated with higher, not lower, Parkinsons disease risk, and the association was more noticeable for lipophilic statins, an observation inconsistent with the current hypothesis that these statins protect nerve cells, explained one of the researchers, Xuemei Huang, Ph.D.. In addition, this association was most robust for use of statins less than two-and-a-half years, suggesting that statins may facilitate the onset of Parkinsons disease.

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Epidemiological Studies On The Use Of Statins And The Risk Of Pd

The purpose of this section is not intended as a critical appraisal of epidemiological research in this area, nor to generate data synthesis , but rather to provide a catalogue, and a context, of published studies.

Valid interpretation of published studies has been consistently confounded by the core reason why statins are taken, i.e., to reduce high levels of cholesterol, which in turn means there is inevitably a high correlation between the two explanatory variables, statin use and blood cholesterol levels. Partly because of this confounding inter-relationship, there is currently no clarity about whether statin use is protective of an individual developing PD, has no effect, or makes it more likely that an individual may develop the disease.

Most would agree that the hypothetical risk of a healthy individual acquiring PD through taking a particular medication, represents a very different scenario to using that same medication to treat the disease once it has already developed. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to discuss here, and bring a balance to, the various studies that have either linked the taking of statins to protecting healthy individuals against developing PD, or the converse.

A brief description of the key findings from many of the various types of epidemiological studies that have attempted in recent years to determine whether the use of statins is positively or negatively associated with PD risk are summarized in Table;1.

Table;1

What’s Hot In Pd What To Tell Parkinsons Patients About Diet And Taking Statin Drugs

Do All Statin Drugs Cause Diabetes?

Recently there has been a surge of interest in cholesterol and cholesterol lowering drugs and the risk of developing Parkinsons disease . Patients and families with a personal interest in the outcomes of these studies simply want to know whether they should consider starting a statin medication or they should change their diet. In this month’s Whats Hot column we will examine the evidence and offer a recommendation for those considering a statin drug.

Interestingly, in the February issue of the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, Tan and colleagues examined whether there was an association between dietary cholesterol, major fatty acids, and PD risk in 218 men and 193 women in Singapore who developed PD during a 5 year period. Dietary cholesterol was associated with a lower risk of PD. In women monounsaturated fatty acid was inversely associated with PD risk. The authors suggested the possibility that higher intakes of cholesterol and monounsaturated fatty acids may possibly reduce PD risk.

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The Link Between Increased Statin Use And The Dementia Epidemic

As noted by the organization Be Brain Fit , there has been a massive increase in the number of Americans taking statin drugs like Crestor and Lipitor in recent years. At the same time, there has been an astronomical increase in the number of people experiencing memory loss, dementia and Alzheimers disease, which is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. BBF suggests that these two statistics may be no coincidence.

People are generally only told about the link between cholesterol and heart disease, but cholesterol also has incredibly important functions in the body. It is found in particularly high concentrations in the brain, with more than 60 percent of this important organ consisting of fat. The brain uses cholesterol to manufacture neurotransmitters, the chemicals which enable brain cells to communicate with each other. Neurotransmitters are also responsible for regulating mood, as well as facilitating focus and the ability to remember things, learn new things and cope with stress.

When normal neurotransmitter activity is disrupted, psychiatric disorders and nervous system diseases can be triggered.

For this reason, doctors admit that high cholesterol levels help prevent dementia in the elderly but will not admit the inverse: that low cholesterol levels can be linked to an increased risk of Alzheimers and other forms of dementia.

The Side Effects Of Statins

As is the case with many chemical medications, statins cause more than just one adverse effect. It is actually known for quite a few, and some of them can be severe.

As mentioned previously, lipophilic statins make it to the brain. When they do, they cross the blood-brain barrier, the mechanism that filters the substances that enter the brain and give patients insomnia. Other patients have complained of memory loss and confusion. The effects are more pronounced among patients with dementia.

Statins have also been linked to muscle pain and damage, leading patients to feel sore, tired, or weak in the affected areas. This particular side effect is actually one of the major reasons many patients opt out of statins.

Those who take the drug are also prone to liver damage and may develop Type 2 diabetes later on.

Learn about the dangers of statins by going to Statins.news.

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Do Statins Produce Neurological Effects

Beatrice Alexandra;Golomb, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, responds;

Statins can indeed produce neurological effects. These drugs are typically prescribed to lower cholesterol and thereby reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Between 2003 and 2012 roughly one in four Americans aged 40 and older were taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But studies show that statins can influence our sleep and behaviorand perhaps even change the course of neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia.

The most common adverse effects include muscle symptoms, fatigue and cognitive problems. A smaller proportion of patients report peripheral neuropathyburning, numbness or tingling in their extremitiespoor sleep, and greater irritability and aggression.

Interestingly, statins can produce very different outcomes in different patients, depending on an individual’s medical history, the statin and the dose. Studies show, for instance, that statins generally reduce the risk of ischemic strokeswhich arise when a blocked artery or blood clot cuts off oxygen to a brain regionbut can also increase the risk of hemorrhagic strokes, or bleeding into the brain. Statins also appear to increase or decrease aggression.

Question submitted by Alan Cleugh, U.K.

Do you have a question about the brain you would like an expert to answer? Send it to ;

doi:10.1038/scientificamericanmind0716-72a

Guided Imagery & Bilateral Stimulation

Do Statins Cause Muscle Pain?

Both tools are essential for the trauma therapy toolbox. They are noninvasive and helpful for overcoming the effects of trauma. Guided imagery can help us alter the negative or stressful pictures and thoughts in our minds and help us create new, more peaceful onesa form of instilling positive affirmations. Before you read on, I thought you might like to download my 10-minute exercise. This science-based, comprehensive video will help you to cultivate a sense of inner peace and give you a way to help overcome the effects of this pandemic GET IT HERE

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Why Was Simvastatin Tested In People With Parkinsons

Finding existing drugs that are already approved and in use for other conditions that could be beneficial for Parkinsons is an approach known as drug repurposing.;

If successful, repurposing could provide new treatments for Parkinsons much more quickly and cost-effectively than creating brand new treatments from scratch.;There are many existing drugs that have potential for Parkinsons.

Previous research showed that statin use may lower the risk of developing Parkinsons.;Lab studies suggested statin drugs may protect brain cells from damaging processes involved in Parkinsons. Simvastatin has also shown promise for slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis.

Claire Bale, Head of Research Communications & Engagement at Parkinson’s UK, said:;

“These results are disappointing but mean we can now move on to focus on other promising opportunities to find new and better treatments for Parkinsons.

There are many new clinical trials on the way to test potential new therapies that aim to slow Parkinsons or improve symptoms. People can find opportunities to take part in research through our Take Part Hub and by signing up to our Research Support Network to get the latest news and opportunities by email.

Do Statins Raise The Risk Of Parkinson’s

BREAKING NEWS: By Jenny Hope

PATIENTS taking the cholesterol-busting drugs statins could be at a much higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a scientist claims.

Up to four million Britons are thought to be taking statins regularly because they are at risk of a heart attack or stroke, saving at least 7,000 lives a year.

The drugs are designed to reduce levels of low- density lipoproteins , which carry cholesterol from the liver to cells in the body.

This ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol can fur up the arteries and lead to heart disease.

A study in the United States has found that patients with low levels of LDL cholesterol are three times more likely to have Parkinson’s disease.

The researchers are planning largescale trials to determine whether the drugs are the cause.

Last night experts sought to reassure patients that statins were safe and should not be stopped.

The findings come from a study published today in Chemistry and Industry, the magazine of the Society of Chemical Industry.

Dr Xuemei Huang, of the University of North Carolina, compared the incidence of Parkinson’s in 236 patients with different levels of LDL cholesterol.

Those with the lowest levels were three and a half times more likely to have the disease than patients with higher levels.

She said: ‘I’m definitely concerned which is why I’m conducting a prospective study of 16,000 people.’ But she stressed she was not suggesting patients change their diets or stop taking statins.

  • Currently 0/5

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How Does The Cholesterol Myth Relate To Heart Disease

MIT Scientist Raymond Francis answers this question in his paper titled The Cholesterol Myth, arguing that;the answer is a story involving the triumph of money and power over science.

Francis goes on to explain:

Atherosclerosisthe main cause of heart attacks and strokesis the accumulation of fatty plaque inside the walls of major arteries. As the disease progresses, arteries become increasingly narrow, making it easier for a blood clot or piece of dislodged plaque to completely block blood flow, resulting in either a heart attack or a stroke. When cholesterol was found to be a major component of arterial plaque, the cholesterol theory of heart disease was born, thinking that high cholesterol levels cause atherosclerosis. The truth, however, is not so simple. Cholesterol is an anti¬oxidant, a repair and healing molecule. The body produces more of it in response to stress and tissue damage, when repair and healing are needed. Remove the causes of the bodys distress, like inflammation and oxidation, and you lower cholesterol. It turned out that blaming cholesterol for heart disease makes as much sense as blaming the Red Cross for the disasters it responds to.

The authors of this particular study concluded:

Not only are Statins unnecessary for many of the people who take them, but they pose;numerous;health risks as well. A new study;conducted by Penn State College found a correlation between use of Statins and increased risk of Parkinsons disease.

Statins May Not Be Used For Protection Against Parkinson’s Disease

Pin on Health
Date:
Penn State
Summary:
Use of statins may speed up the onset of Parkinson’s disease symptoms in people who are susceptible to the disease, according to researchers.

Use of statins may speed up the onset of Parkinson’s disease symptoms in people who are susceptible to the disease, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

Some previous research has suggested that statins, used to treat high cholesterol, may protect against Parkinson’s disease. Research findings have been inconsistent, however, with some studies showing a lower risk, some showing no difference and some showing a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease in statin users.

“One of the reasons that may have explained these prior inconsistent results is that higher cholesterol, the main indication to use statins, has been related to lower occurrence of Parkinson’s disease,” said Xuemei Huang, professor of neurology. “This made it hard to know if the statin protective effect was due to the drug or preexisting cholesterol status.”

Another reason for the inconsistent results is that there are two types of statins. Water-soluble statins cannot get into the brain, while fat-soluble statins, called lipophilic, can. Since people with high cholesterol are treated for both kinds, the interpretation of results as it relates to Parkinson’s disease is not easy.

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Memory Loss Is A Documented Side Effect Of Statin Drugs

Interestingly, the manufacturers of statin drugs are fully aware of their ability to interfere with memory and learning and to cause brain fog. In fact, these side effects are listed on the insert of every statin prescription bottle.

The reasons for this;link are explained by Be Brain Fit:

Statins decrease the production of CoQ10, a nutrient thats protective of both the heart and the brain.

CoQ10 deficiency is believed to be responsible for the fatigue and muscle pain commonly experienced from statin drug use.

Some people get very irritable, depressed, anxious, or even suicidal when taking these;drugs or when following a low-fat diet.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that warning labels state;that statins can cause memory loss as well as mental confusion, liver problems, and type 2 diabetes.

Statins can lead to diabetes at an alarming rate.

Research has found that;nearly half of women who take these medications eventually develop diabetes, a disease which;greatly increases your risk for dementia.

Can Statins Cause Anxiety And Panic Attacks

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Beside this, does atorvastatin cause panic attacks?

Atorvastatin and anxiety:If you feel stressed out or having anxiety attacks while on a regimen of Lipitor, your doctor will once again be able to tell you if this is being caused by another coexisting condition, or he or she may lower your dosage of the drug.

One may also ask, what medications cause anxiety? Drugs and medicines that can cause anxiety include:

  • Alcohol and illegal drugs such as cocaine and LSD.
  • Nonprescription medicines such as some decongestants.
  • Caffeine.
  • Prescription medicines such as stimulants, steroids, and medicines to treat asthma, Parkinson’s disease, and thyroid problems.

Subsequently, one may also ask, does statins cause anxiety?

Psychiatric adverse effects, altering mood, personality, and behavior, sometimes arise in patients receiving statins. Statin psychiatric effects can include irritability/aggression, anxiety or depressed mood, violent ideation, sleep problems including nightmares, and possibly suicide attempt and completion.

Can high cholesterol cause panic attacks?

High cholesterol levels have been associated with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

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