Objective:: Dementia is the fourth most common cause of death in developed countries. The relationship between plasma lipids and cognitive function is complex and controversial. Due to the increasing life expectancy of the population, there is an urgent need to control vascular risk factors and to identify therapies to prevent and treat both cognitive impairment and dementia. Here, we reviewed the effects of plasma lipids and statins on cognitive function.
Data sources:: We searched the PubMed database for research articles published through November 2017 with key words including "plasma lipids," "hyperlipidemia," "hypercholesterolemia," "statins," and "cognition function."
Study selection:: Articles were retrieved and reviewed to analyze the effects of plasma lipids and statins on cognitive function and the mechanisms underlying these effects.
Results:: Many studies have examined the relationship between plasma lipids and cognitive function, but no definitive conclusions can be drawn. The mechanisms involved may include blood-brain barrier injury, the influence on small blood vessels in the brain, the influence on amyloid deposition, and a neuroprotective effect. To date, most studies of statins and cognition have been observational, with few randomized controlled trials. Therefore, firm conclusions regarding whether mid- or long-term statin use affects cognition function and dementia remain elusive. However, increasing concern exists that statins may be a causative factor for cognitive problems. These adverse effects appear to be rare and likely represent a yet-to-be-defined vulnerability in susceptible individuals.
Conclusions:: The association between plasma lipids and cognition, the mechanism of the influence of plasma lipids on cognitive function, and the association between statins and cognitive function are complex issues and currently not fully understood. Future research aimed at identifying the mechanisms that underlie the effects of plasma lipids and statins on cognition will not only provide important insight into the causes and interdependencies of cognitive impairment and dementia, but also inspire novel strategies for treating and preventing these cognitive disorders.
血脂和他汀类药物对认知功能的影响 摘要 目的: 在发达国家, 痴呆被列为第四大常见死因。 血脂与认知功能之间的关系非常复杂和矛盾。 由于预期寿命的增加, 迫切需要控制血管性危险因素, 寻找预防和治疗认知障碍和痴呆的治疗方法。 在这篇文章中, 我们回顾了血脂和他汀类药物对认知功能的影响。 方法: 通过计算机检索 PubMed 数据库, 搜索 2017 年以前发表的文章, 文章关键词为“血脂,”“高脂血症,”“高胆固醇血症,”“他汀类药物,”“认知功能。” 结果: 目前, 关于血脂和认知功能的研究很多, 但尚无定论, 其机制可能是血脑屏障被破坏、影响脑小血管、影响淀粉样蛋白的沉积以及神经保护作用。 迄今为止，大多数关于他汀类药物和认知功能的研究都是观察性研究，很少有随机对照试验。因此，关于中期或长期使用他汀类药物是否会改善认知功能和痴呆仍然难以确定，同时他汀类药物可能导致认知障碍的不良反应也不容忽视。这些不良反应非常罕见，且与个体易感性有关。 结论: 血脂和认知功能、血脂影响认知功能可能的机制以及他汀类药物和认知功能的关系非常复杂，而且尚未有定论。 未来的研究旨在确定血脂和他汀类药物对认知功能影响的机制，不仅将为认知障碍和痴呆的病因和相互关系提供重要见解，而且还将启发治疗和预防认知障碍的新策略。.
Keywords: Cognitive Function; Dementia; Plasma Lipids; Statins.