Statin use reduces dementia risk after concussion in seniors

(HealthDay)—Older adults have an increased risk for dementia after concussion, which is modestly reduced among patients using a statin, according to a study published online May 20 in JAMA Neurology.

Donald A. Redelmeier, M.D., from the University of Toronto, and colleagues examined whether statin use is associated with the risk for dementia after a concussion. Participants included 28,815 older adults diagnosed as having a concussion.

Of the participants, 24.5 and 75.5 percent received and did not receive a statin, respectively. During a mean follow-up of 3.9 years, the researchers found that 4,727 patients subsequently developed dementia for an incidence of one case per six patients. Compared with those who did not receive a statin, patients who received a statin had a reduced risk for dementia (relative risk, 0.87). The reduced risk was seen for diverse patient groups, was independent of cardiovascular medication use, intensified over time, was different from the risk for subsequent depression, and was not seen among patients after an ankle sprain.

"A concussion should not be interpreted as a reason to stop statins, and a future randomized trial is justified," the authors write. "The long-term neurologic consequences of a concussion are substantial and merit attentions."

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