Data presented at the 8th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders in Stockholm bolstered previous studies suggesting that statin drugs, used to lower cholesterol, also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

The relationship between cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease, and the use of statins to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease, was a major topic at the conference.

One epidemiological study of 2,378 participants conducted by Dr. R. Green at Boston University School of Medicine found individuals taking statins had a 39 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Another study conducted by Dr. B. Austen at St. George's Hospital Medical School in London found that using statins in cell cultures lowered cholesterol levels and dramatically reduced beta-amyloid production. Beta-amyloid plaques have been closely tied to Alzheimer's disease.

"The enormous interest in the medical community about the potential use of statins for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease is very exciting," said Dr. Michael Munzar, Medical Director of Nymox Pharmaceutical Corp.

Nymox recently gained a U.S. patent for the use of statins for treating, preventing, and reducing the risk of the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Other sources: Nymox