Rates of dementia are predicted to soar

2 months ago 30th Jul 15:03

The study, published in Neurology, found that statins - normally taken to reduce heart disease risk - may cut the risk of dementia by half.

The five-year project examined 1,674 Mexican Americans aged 60 and over at heightened risk of dementia.

A quarter of the patients took a statin, and in total 130 went on to develop dementia.

The jury is still out on how effective they are, but this study adds to growing evidence that they may have some benefits

Once the researchers had taken account of other risk factors, including education, smoking, and diabetes, they calculated that those who took statins had an approximately 50% lower risk of developing dementia.

The study comes hot on the heels of separate research which suggests that drugs to reduce blood pressure can also cut the risk of dementia.

It is estimated that 4 million people in England and Wales alone currently take statins.

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