Jan 15, 2007
Parkinson and statins
New research points to a possible link between the LDL cholesterol-lowering statin drugs (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) and Parkinson’s disease. Such is the concern that a study involving thousands of people is planned to assess the risk, according to a report in Chemistry & Industry today.
Earlier research had hinted at a putative link between Parkinson’s disease and statins, but the latest results from a study linking low LDL cholesterol itself to PD provides the strongest evidence to date that the link could be real.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina say that patients with low LDL cholesterol levels are more than three and a half times as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease as those with higher LDL levels.
Study leader Xuemei Huang told C&I: “I am very concerned by these findings, which is why I am planning a 16000-patient prospective study to examine the possible role of statins.” Huang was quick to point out, however, that a causal link with statins had not yet been proven. Huang adds that the well-established link between PD and apoE2, a gene associated with lower LDL cholesterol, supports her theory that low LDL is the culprit in many cases of PD.
Yoav Ben-Shlomo, a professor of clinical epidemiology at the University of Bristol suggests a contrary explanation. It could be that low LDL cholesterol levels are a consequence rather than a cause of PD, he says.
Nevertheless, statins have been in common use for more than a decade and Huang worries that if proved right we will see a big surge in the number of diagnoses of PD during the next five years.
Pfizer’s statin Lipitor is the world’s best-selling drug with $12.2 billion in sales in 2005.
About David Bradley
Sciencebase FAQ
Click to contact me
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Add me on StumbleUpon
Poke me on Facebook
MyBlogLog Profile
View my Flickr photos
Pownce Page
Tumblr Newspage
BloggingZoom
Network with me on LinkedIn
Shout me on Digg
del.icio.us ne.ws
Dawngrrl said,
January 15, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Interesting stuff…Brain disease has always been of interest to me and particularly Parkinson’s. In Parkinson’s dopamine and/or serotonin-receptors are deficient. In dementia the acetylcholine-metabolism is impaired, in schizophrenia in general too little dopamine and/or serotonin reaches the receptors.
It would seem to me that a drug (e.g. statin drugs) could only have an effect on what is already there - or not there, as opposed to causing an illness.
Brains said,
January 17, 2007 at 2:38 pm
The human brain is apparently the most complicated object in the universe, so it’s no surprise that there’s biochemistry going on in there that we just don’t understand
Anonymous said,
June 16, 2007 at 1:19 am
dawngrrl, you would be incorrect–access “spacedoc.net” and read about the myriad ways in which statins can induce neuromuscular diseases, including interfering with selenoprotein production and thus glutathione reductase, necessary for recycling of glutathione (glutathione being a major anti-oxidant in the brain and found to be deficient in parkinson’s), causing tau phosphorylation–leading to fibrillatory tangles (ie lewy bodies) in the brain; depletion of brain cholesterol, which is necessary for synaptic function of neurons –all neurons….depleting coenzyme q10 stores within the body–coq10 is a madatory cofactor in complex 1 of the respiratory electron chain and thus responsible for the beginning process of production of ATP.–complex 1 dysfunction as well as general mitochondrial dysfunction are thought to be etiopathologic in parkinson’s. okay–enough for now…..suggest you study a bit more about the effects of statins and their effects upon the brain…
David Bradley said,
June 16, 2007 at 8:32 am
Interesting point “Anonymous” regarding Dawngrrl’s comment. But, I was until now totally unaware of “spacedoc.net” and cannot see any credentials pertaining to the author of the site other than that he is a former NASA astronaut (why does that qualify him to discuss statins). Incidentally, the site resembles the countless affiliate and spam sites trying to sell get-rich-quick “ebooks” and other related materials. I am not suggesting that spacedoc.net is a scam, but I would prefer to read peer-reviewed research papers discussing the effects than visit a site such as that to get my background information on a subject. Any medical professionals reading this care to comment on Anonymous’ point
anonymous said,
June 26, 2007 at 4:15 pm
recent article:
Drug Saf. 2007;30(6):515-25.
Statins, neuromuscular degenerative disease and an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like syndrome: an analysis of individual case safety reports from vigibase.Edwards IR, Star K, Kiuru A.
The WHO Foundation Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring, the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC), Uppsala, Sweden.
BACKGROUND: The WHO Foundation Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring (Uppsala Monitoring Centre [UMC]) has received many individual case safety reports (ICSRs) associating HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drug (statin) use with the occurrence of muscle damage, including rhabdomyolysis, and also peripheral neuropathy. A new signal has now appeared of disproportionally high reporting of upper motor neurone lesions.
AIM AND SCOPE: The aim of this paper is to present the upper motor neurone lesion cases, with other evidence, as a signal of a relationship between statins and an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-like syndrome. The paper also presents some arguments for considering that a spectrum of severe neuromuscular damage may be associated with statin use, albeit rarely. The paper does not do more than raise the signal for further work and analysis of what must be regarded as a potentially very serious and perhaps avoidable or reversible adverse reaction, though it also suggests action to be taken if an ALS-like syndrome should occur in a patient using statins.
You could easily access research by Dr. Peter Langsjoen who has published articles/studies on association btn statins and CHF in elderly patients; dr. Paul Phillips who has published articles and studies on myopathies and statins, Dr. Beatrice Golomb, Dr. Mark Tarnoplasky, and many many others who have sounded the alarm that statins’ pleiotropic effects may not be so wonderful after all…
David Bradley said,
June 26, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Interesting find “anonymous”, I looked up the reference from Drug Safety you cite and quote from the authors’ conclusion, which you did not include in your comment:
“CONCLUSION: We emphasise the rarity of this possible association, and also the need for further study to establish whether a causal relationship exists.”
The authors add that, “We do advocate that trial discontinuation of a statin should be considered in patients with serious neuromuscular disease such as the ALS-like syndrome, given the poor prognosis and a possibility that progression of the disease may be halted or even reversed.”
anonymous said,
March 2, 2008 at 6:44 pm
david bradley–it helps to read a site prior to criticizing the author. duane graveline is an MD as well as a NASA trained astronaut. He practiced family medicine as well as space related medicine. and your qualifications????
David Bradley said,
March 3, 2008 at 8:24 am
madleyn levy, fair enough he was a NASA surgeon and has apparently suffered from his own use of prescribed statins. That still doesn’t stop his site “looking” like nothing much more than an advertisement for his book, regardless of his qualifications or experience. I will, however, obtain a copy and may discuss the issues he raises here at a later date.
Incidentally, why post as “anonymous” and then leave an email address that is all over the web showing your real name?
db
Joseph said,
March 4, 2008 at 2:49 am
Parkinson’s is just the tip of the iceberg. Even a cursory search reveal far more critical information. Surprised how unfamiliar a science writer might be with such profoundly troubling issues, especially considering statin’s standing as the most prescribed drug in the history of medicine.
Statin Drugs - A Critical Review of the Risk/Benefit Clinical Research Joel M. Kauffman, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry Emeritus
Here are Joel M. Kauffman’s credentials, research interests, and list of scientific publications.
Anyone care to refute his opinion in an informed manner based in fundamental biochemistry (some of which anon has already addressed?)
The Synthesis of Cholesterol
David Bradley said,
March 4, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Thanks for the links Joseph. Of course, I am aware of ongoing debates about the risk-benefit equation. I just happen not to have covered it in detail here. It would be interesting to read a refutation of Kauffman’s claims, I am sure at least one reader will have one!
db