Evaluating Simvastatin's Potential Role in Therapy

Summary

The purpose of this study is to see how simvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, affects processes related to the development of Alzheimer's disease, including: 1) levels of a substance called beta-amyloid-42 found in the spinal fluid surrounding the brain, 2) blood flow in the brain, 3) inflammation in the brain, and 4) cognitive function.

Timeline

Start

2005-02

Primary completion

2009-06

Completion

2009-06

Publications

• Background Fassbender K, Simons M, Bergmann C, Stroick M, Lutjohann D, Keller P, Runz H, Kuhl S, Bertsch T, von Bergmann K, Hennerici M, Beyreuther K, Hartmann T. Simvastatin strongly reduces levels of Alzheimer's disease beta -amyloid peptides Abeta 42 and Abeta 40 in vitro and in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 May 8;98(10):5856-61. doi: 10.1073/pnas.081620098. Epub 2001 Apr 10.
• Background Wolozin B. A fluid connection: cholesterol and Abeta. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 May 8;98(10):5371-3. doi: 10.1073/pnas.101123198. No abstract available.
• Background Johnson NA, Jahng GH, Weiner MW, Miller BL, Chui HC, Jagust WJ, Gorno-Tempini ML, Schuff N. Pattern of cerebral hypoperfusion in Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment measured with arterial spin-labeling MR imaging: initial experience. Radiology. 2005 Mar;234(3):851-9. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2343040197.

Drugs

Indications