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  • Statins are a group of drugs that are used to lower cholesterol in people. The medical community has hailed them as wonder drugs, but reports of mental fog or memory loss by patients undergoing statin therapy have become more common.

    How Statins Work

    Statins block enzymes produced by the liver that are used to make cholesterol.

    Synapses

    Synapses are the areas between neurons in the brain where impulses are sent and received. Cholesterol is used in the brain to form synapses and help with their function.

    Low Cholesterol

    When a statin is used, it can lower the cholesterol in the brain, which interferes with the formation of synapses and their functions, which affects memory.

    Tau

    Tau is a protein made by brain cells. Statins appear to cause the cells to make abnormal tau, which has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease.

    Coenzyme Q10

    The enzymes blocked by statins are also used to make the coenzyme Q10. This is required for making energy in cells. When this is blocked, the brain, heart and skeletal muscles are the systems affected the most by the loss of energy.

    Source:

    Spacedoc:Forgetfulness, Disorientation, Confusion and Statins

    Virginia Hopkins Health Watch: Why Statins are Bad for the Brain

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