Journal article
Effects of Atorvastatin on Cerebral Blood Flow in Middle-Aged Adults at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study
Current Alzheimer research, Vol.9(8), pp.990-997
10/01/2012
DOI: 10.2174/156720512803251075
PMCID: PMC3576818
PMID: 22175654
Abstract
Background/Aims: Hypercholesterolemia in midlife increases risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and contributes to cerebrovascular dysregulation - an early finding in preclinical AD pathology. Statins improve vascular reactivity, but it is unknown if they increase regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in individuals at risk for AD. Methods: In a randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study, 16 asymptomatic middle-aged adults with parental history of AD were randomized to atorvastatin or placebo daily for 4 months. At baseline and month 4, regional CBF was measured using arterial spin-labeling magnetic resonance imaging and endothelial function was measured using brachial artery ultrasound. Results: At baseline, participants with low HDL-cholesterol, higher global vascular risk, and greater endothelial dysfunction had reduced regional CBF in areas of the brain related to memory and learning (all p<0.03). Using voxel-based analysis, 4 months of atorvastatin increased CBF in bilateral hippocampi, fusiform gyrus, putamen and insular cortices compared to placebo. Conclusion: In this pilot study, atorvastatin increased regional CBF in persons at risk for AD. Further research is warranted to confirm whether statins increase CBF in areas of the brain related to memory and learning and whether such perfusion changes are associated with a delay in the onset of AD. Clinical Trial Registration: http://clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00751907.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effects of Atorvastatin on Cerebral Blood Flow in Middle-Aged Adults at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study
- Creators
- Cynthia M. Carlsson - University of Wisconsin–MadisonGuofan Xu - University of Wisconsin–MadisonZhifei Wen - Radiation PhysicsJodi H. Barnet - University of Wisconsin–MadisonHanna M. Blazel - University of Wisconsin–MadisonRichard J. Chappell - Wisconsin Alzheimers Dis Res Ctr ADRC, Madison, WI USAJames H. Stein - University of Wisconsin–MadisonSanjay Asthana - University of Wisconsin–MadisonMark A. Sager - University of Wisconsin–MadisonDavid C. Alsop - Harvard UniversityHoward A. Rowley - University of Wisconsin–MadisonSean B. Fain - University of Wisconsin–MadisonSterling C. Johnson - University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Current Alzheimer research, Vol.9(8), pp.990-997
- DOI
- 10.2174/156720512803251075
- PMID
- 22175654
- PMCID
- PMC3576818
- NLM abbreviation
- Curr Alzheimer Res
- ISSN
- 1567-2050
- eISSN
- 1875-5828
- Publisher
- Bentham Science Publ Ltd
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- NIH P50 AG033514 / Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center UL1TR000427 / NATIONAL CENTER FOR ADVANCING TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) 1UL1RR025011 / National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health (NIH); United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) R01 AG027161 / PI: Sager NIA AG026752 / Starr Foundation American Federation for Aging Research K07 AG021582; R01 AG029624 / NIH; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA P30HD003352 / EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) Atlantic Philanthropies State of Wisconsin through the Wisconsin Comprehensive Memory Program Alzheimer's Disease Pilot Grants National Institute on Aging; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA) UL1RR025011 / NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) John A. Hartford Foundation Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award R01AG029624 / NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/01/2012
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Radiology; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984275055802771
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