The high use of statins, compared with low use, is associated with a reduction in the risk for Alzheimer’s disease in different magnitudes across racial, ethnic, and sex groups, with variance also according to the type of statin, suggests new research delving into the long-debated relationship between statins and Alzheimer’s disease.

“[C]ertain patients, facing multiple, otherwise equal statin alternatives for hyperlipidemia treatment, may reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk by using a particular statin,” the researchers, with first author Julie Zissimopoulos, PhD, from the Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, write.

“The right statin type for the right person at the right time may provide a relatively inexpensive means to lessen the burden of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The risk for Alzheimer’s disease was also significantly reduced with high use of atorvastatin compared with low use among white women (HR, 0.84), black women (HR, 0.81), and Hispanic men (HR, 0.61) and women (HR, 0.76). Approximately half of men and women in the sample had used atorvastatin.

High use of pravastatin and rosuvastatin was associated with reduced risk among white women (HR, 0.82 and 0.81, respectively).

In general, black and Hispanic participants had lower use of statins and higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease and associated diseases than whites, the authors noted.