The influence of simvastatin, atorvastatin and high-cholesterol diet on acetylcholinesterase activity, amyloid beta and cholesterol synthesis in rat brain

Abstract

There is evidence to suppose that cholesterol-lowering medicine might confer protection against dementia, probably via modulation of cholesterol synthesis in the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential influence of statins and cholesterol diet on selected parameters relevant to Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology.

In our study, statins were able to lower cholesterol in the plasma, but non elicited an effect on total brain cholesterol. Significant reductions of brain lathosterol and cholesterol synthesis rate were observed after simvastatin and atorvastatin treatment.

Acetylcholinesterase activity, amyloid beta and hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase levels remained unaffected by the two drugs.