Simvastatin therapy prevents brain trauma-induced increases in beta-amyloid peptide levels.

Full Abstract

Elevations in beta-amyloid peptide (A beta) levels after traumatic brain injury (TBI) may confer risk for developing Alzheimer's disease in head trauma patients. We investigated the effects of simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, on hippocampal A beta burden in a clinically relevant head injury/intervention model using mice expressing human A beta. Simvastatin therapy blunted TBI-induced increases in A beta, reduced hippocampal tissue damage and microglial activation, and improved behavioral outcome. The ability of statins to reduce post-injury A beta load and ameliorate pathological sequelae of brain injury makes them potentially effective in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in TBI patients.

Author information

Author/s: Abrahamson, Eric E (EE); Ikonomovic, Milos D (MD); Dixon, C Edward (CE); DeKosky, Steven T (ST);

Affiliation: Department of Neurology, Brain Trauma Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Grants: NS30318 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Annals of neurology (Ann Neurol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 66 (issue 3) : pp 407-14

Dates: Created 2009/10/14; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19798641, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

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