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Important Notice: The Forum does not endorse any medical
product or therapy. ALL medications and supplements
should be taken ONLY under the supervision of a physician,
due to the possibility of side-effects, drug interactions,
etc.
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Name:
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Atorvastatin
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Other Names:
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Lipitor™
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Development Status:
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investigational in U.S.
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FDA Phase:
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Inactive
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Primary Medical Role:
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Lipitor®(atorvastatin calcium) is a synthetic lipid-
lowering agent used to reduce cholesterol.
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Role in Alzheimer's Disease:
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A multi-center analysis of over 60,000 patients indicated
a decreased prevalence of AD in patients taking lovastatin
and pravastatin, two statin drugs commonly used in lowering
cholesterol. Several possible roles of statins in AD have
been proposed, see our drug sheet on statins.
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Pharmacological Role:
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As an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A
(HMG-CoA) reductase, atorvastatin inhibits the conversion
of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early and rate-limiting step
in cholesterol biosynthesis.
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Side Effects:
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Generally well tolerated. Common side effects include
constipation, flatulence, indigestion, and abdominal pain.
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Evidence pro its efficacy:
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Retrospective studies show an association between
statin-use and reduced prevalence of Alzheimer's disease.
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Companies:
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Pfizer, Inc.
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Notes:
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Medline Plus Drug Information: Medline Plus.
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Parvathy S, Ehrlich M, Pedrini S, Diaz N, Refolo L,
Buxbaum JD, Bogush A, Petanceska S, Gandy S. Atorvastatin-
induced activation of Alzheimer's alpha secretase is
resistant to standard inhibitors of protein
phosphorylation-regulated ectodomain shedding. J
Neurochem. 2004 Aug ;90(4):1005-10. Abstract
Höglund K, Wiklund O, Vanderstichele H, Eikenberg O,
Vanmechelen E, Blennow K. Plasma Levels of {beta}-Amyloid
(1-40), {beta}-Amyloid(1-42), and Total {beta}-Amyloid
Remain Unaffected in Adult Patients With
Hypercholesterolemia After Treatment With Statins. Arch
Neurol. 2004 Mar ;61(3):333-337. Abstract
King DS, Wilburn AJ, Wofford MR, Harrell TK, Lindley BJ,
Jones DW. Cognitive impairment associated with
atorvastatin and simvastatin. Pharmacotherapy. 2003 Dec ;23
(12):1663-7. Abstract
Petanceska S, Pappolla M, Refolo LM. Modulation of
Alzheimer's amyloidosis by statins: Mechanisms of action.
Curr Med Chem Imun Endoc & Metab Agents. 2003 Aug ;3(1):1-
7. Abstract
Petanceska SS, DeRosa S, Olm V, Diaz N, Sharma A, Thomas-
Bryant T, Duff K, Pappolla M, Refolo LM. Statin therapy
for Alzheimer's disease: will it work? J Mol Neurosci.
2002 Aug-Oct ;19(1-2):155-61. Abstract
Sparks DL, Connor DJ, Browne PJ, Lopez JE, Sabbagh MN. HMG-
CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease and why it would be ill-advise to use
one that crosses the blood-brain barrier. J Nutr Health
Aging. 2002 ;6(5):324-31. Abstract
Refolo LM, Pappolla MA, Malester B, LaFrancois J, Bryant-
Thomas T, Wang R, Tint GS, Sambamurti K, Duff K.
Hypercholesterolemia accelerates the Alzheimer's amyloid
pathology in a transgenic mouse model. Neurobiol Dis. 2000
Aug;7(4):321-31. Abstract
Wolozin B, Kellman W, Ruosseau P, Celesia GG, Siegel G.
Decreased prevalence of Alzheimer disease associated with 3-
hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors.
Arch Neurol. 2000 Oct;57(10):1439-43. Abstract
Sparks DL, Martin TA, Gross DR, Hunsaker JC 3rd. Link
between heart disease, cholesterol, and Alzheimer's
disease: a review. Microsc Res Tech. 2000 Aug 15;50(4):287-
90. Abstract
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