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Doctors Just Found This Common Class of Drugs Is Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- A study published in The Lancet Regional Health found that people with type 2 diabetes who started statin therapy within one year of diagnosis had a 15% lower risk of developing dementia over 10 years, while those who started statins later had a 10% lower risk.
- Statins, commonly prescribed to manage heart disease risks in diabetes patients, may also provide protective effects against vascular dementia by lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack, both linked to dementia.
- Experts emphasize that statins are not a cure or primary prevention for all types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, but they may help reduce the risk of vascular dementia, a subtype associated with cardiovascular health.
- Despite clinical guidelines recommending statin use for many with type 2 diabetes, 50 to 75 percent of eligible patients may not be receiving this treatment, highlighting a gap in care.
- Patients are advised to discuss statin use and overall dementia prevention strategies with their healthcare providers to make informed decisions tailored to their individual health needs.
