QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Résumé Extracto Full Text PDF Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Articles Ahead of Print [Order Reprint] Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Padala, K. P Articles by Potter, J. F Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Padala, K. P Articles by Potter, J. F

Simvastatin-Induced Decline in Cognition

PGY V Fellow in Geriatric Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Prasad R Padala, MD

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Staff Psychiatrist, Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Jane F Potter, MD

Harris Professor of Geriatric Medicine; Chief, Section of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Reprints: Dr. K Padala, Geriatrics Section, Department of Internal Medicine, 981320 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-1320, fax 402/943-5543, kpadala{at}unmc.edu

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of new-onset cognitive difficulties in an older patient after initiation of simvastatin therapy.

CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old man developed cognitive difficulties within one week after starting simvastatin 40 mg/day. There was a 3 point decline from baseline in the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score 2 weeks after simvastatin was initiated, as well as declines in the Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scales. Simvastatin was discontinued, and the patient's cognition improved to baseline within 6 weeks. Rechallenge with simvastatin at half the original dose was attempted. His cognition deteriorated over a 2 week period. Simvastatin was stopped, and the patient's MMSE scores returned to baseline within 4 weeks.

DISCUSSION: This patient developed new-onset problems with short-term memory, long-term memory, and item misplacement in addition to the baseline problems with names and word-finding that had been present prior to beginning statin therapy. Decreased cognition identified with neuropsychological tests has been shown in clinical trials with simvastatin; however, as of August 23, 2006, this is the first report of cognitive and functional problems that have been documented using standardized instruments. The Naranjo probability scale revealed a highly probable adverse reaction of cognitive decline associated with simvastatin therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Statins are commonly used in the older population. Simvastatin appeared to be associated with worsened cognition in our patient, an older person with preexisting memory problems. Statins should be used with caution in this vulnerable population.

Key Words: activities of daily living, cognition, simvastatin

Published Online, August 29, 2006. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1H014

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. E. Andras, G. Rha, W. Huang, S. Eum, P.-O. Couraud, I. A. Romero, B. Hennig, and M. Toborek Simvastatin Protects against Amyloid {beta} and HIV-1 Tat-Induced Promoter Activities of Inflammatory Genes in Brain Endothelial Cells Mol. Pharmacol., May 1, 2008; 73(5): 1424 - 1433. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Szwast, H. C. Hendrie, K. A. Lane, S. Gao, S. E. Taylor, F. Unverzagt, J. Murrell, M. Deeg, A. Ogunniyi, M. R. Farlow, et al. Association of statin use with cognitive decline in elderly African Americans Neurology, November 6, 2007; 69(19): 1873 - 1880. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]