Statins: Mechanisms of neuroprotection
Abstract
Clinical trials report that the class of drugs known as statins may be neuroprotective in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and further trials are currently underway to test whether these drugs are also beneficial in multiple sclerosis and acute stroke treatment. Since statins are well tolerated and have relatively few side effects, they may be considered as viable drugs to ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanism of their neuroprotective effects is only partly understood. In this article, we review the current data on the neuroprotective effects of statins and their underlying mechanisms. In the first section, we detail the mechanisms by which statins affect cellular signalling. The primary action of statins is to inhibit cellular cholesterol synthesis. However, the cholesterol synthesis pathway also has several by-products, the non-sterol isoprenoids that are also important in cellular functioning. Furthermore, reduced cholesterol levels may deplete the cholesterol-rich membrane domains known as lipid rafts, which in turn could affect cellular signalling. In the second section, we summarize how the effects on signalling translate into general neuroprotective effects through peripheral systems. Statins improve blood-flow, reduce coagulation, modulate the immune system and reduce oxidative damage. The final section deals with the effects of statins on the central nervous system, particularly during Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, stroke and multip…
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Since there are substantive investigations supporting neuroprotective roles of cholesterol and lipid regulation in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and strokes, the same mechanisms might also apply for HAND treatment.
“Since there are substantive investigations supporting the neuroprotective roles of cholesterol and lipid regulation in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and strokes, the same mechanisms might also apply for HAND treatment [84].”
From HIV-TAT dysregulates microglial lipid metabolism through SREBP2/miR-124 axis: Implication of lipid droplet accumulation microglia in NeuroHIV (2025) · cites this paper as [84]
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- Authors
- van der Most, P. J., Dolga, A. M., Nijholt, I. M., Luiten, P. G. M., & Eisel, U. L. M.
- Affiliations
- Philipps University of Marburg (DE)
- University of Groningen (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Eisel, Ulrich L.M.
- Venue
- Progress in Neurobiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 88
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 64-75
- ISSN
- 0301-0082 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2157236444
- Cited by
- 268
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 1.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Progress in Neurobiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neurological Disorders and Treatments
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Lipids, and Metabolism
- Keywords
- statins, neuroprotection, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, acute stroke, cholesterol synthesis inhibition, lipid rafts, signal transduction, neurodegenerative diseases, cerebral blood flow, coagulation, immunomodulation, oxidative damage
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Clinical Trials as Topic, Humans, Neuroprotective Agents, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Neurodegenerative Diseases
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