Statin induced memory loss
 

I'm a physician and was put on Zocor to lower cholesterol in the 300's. Later put on Vitorin to further lower LDL.

Firtst noticed memory loss during Superbowl about 4 or 5 years ago when Stevie Wonder played at halftime. Was watching him play and could not remember his name. Mostly I was forgeting names of people I'd know for years. Also had difficulty coming up with certain words that had been a fluent part of my vocabulary.

I got off of the Vitorin and the memory started improving. Was still not "up to par" but improved. I started the Vitorin again and the same thing recurred. I quit them for good and went on a low fat diet. Now I don't measure my cholesterol anymore and don't take statins. My memory is much improved although I still have some trouble coming up with the correct words. (fluency) My memory for names has essentially returned.

There are a number of documented occurrences of statin related memory loss in the medical litereature, including a commercial airline pilot who discovered one morning that he had forgotten how to fly a plane.

Don't let your physician convince you that there are no memory loss problems with statins.

Hi Flash and Welcome to NeuroTalk. Interesting post and intro.
My DH was on Lescol and his physician switched him to Vytorin. I don't see that he has suffered memory loss, but it is an interesting subject.:welcome_sign:

Welcome to our gang.

very interesting...
 

Welcome to NeuroTalk...it is not often we get doctors on here.
This subject is very controversial, and continues to be serious IMO.

We have a discussion on Peripheral Neuropathy right now you might like to read:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread38209.html

This one has links to videos by Dr. Kendrick
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...hlight=Vytorin
post #17

BTW Simvastatin (Zocor) is one of the more lipophilic statins, and it enters the brain more than the
others.
However, Lipitor is not as lipophilic and it has been recorded as a thief of memory too.
http://www.spacedoc.net/lipitor_thief_of_memory.html

Most of the cholesterol discussions happen on Peripheral Neuropathy and Parkinson's forums here.
Use the search function at the top of each page while you are signed on to find them all easily.

Hi Flash,
 

Welcome to the forum. I am glad you brought this up. I was on Zocor for awhile and I am wondering now if that is what messed my memory up.

I am 56. I have so much trouble with memory. I cannot remember words nor dates nor things that happen anymore.

I have told my Dr. this many times. Mine seems beyond normal memory loss. I can't remember how to spell words and no matter how many times I try I can't get them spelled right. I was always good at spelling. I was always good at math and go through the same thing.

I see my Dr. often and when we are talking I know he notices I have trouble with finding the right words for things. He won't say anything to me for fear of upsetting me but I know he knows how bad it is.

My cholesterol is over 300 and it won't come down. I do watch what I eat also but my Mom died of a stroke and heart attack so I feel sure that I inherited that from her side of the family. My Grandpa died at 62 of one.

I am glad you found us and I hope you stick around. You will learn a lot here and enjoy the company.

Ada

I just posted this in the medications useful sticky this morning-

Statins
Scroll down the page for the many links listed.
http://www.spacedoc.net/

Lipitor :(- I thought I was getting ADD & Alzheimer's, plus my repetitive motion injuries multiplied and worsened while I was on it.
Finally researched more about it and didn't like what I was reading so stopped taking it.

Hey,
Welcome to Neurotalk, if you need anything just ask
Thanks and welcome onboard
Alison

Hi, Flash! :Wave-Hello: Welcome to NeuroTalk!

Glad to have you with us! :)

statins and memory
 

article to consider:


Barres and Smith's in vitro findings of importance of brain cholesterol (recalling that fat soluble statins cross the BBB) synopsis: www.sciencemag.org
Neurons need cholesterol secreted by glial cells to form and maintain functional synapses. In addition to synaptogenesis, cholesterol is probably responsible for production and transport of vesicles necessary for neurotransmission. If one accepts the concept of neuronal plasticity in the adult brain, then deliberately
suppressing cholesterol metabolism in the brain seems more than questionable.

Flash1,

One big, warm, tight, hug, handshake and howdy, moose-size official type welcom to the site. This place is amazing!
Thanks so much for bringing this up and sharing your perspective, as well as everyone who responded.

My cholesterol was in the 170s until I was dx with MS. It then shot up to the 230s in just a year, with no change in diet. (My neuro explained that the demyelating process was dumping the fatty tissue into veins as cholesterol). I was put on Simivistatin. (SP)

Now my memory has never been as strong as wanted, but I chalked it up to being a worthless drunk for so many years. And more recently, the concussion in a car wreck from 2 years ago. Now at least I have another culprit to the cause.