Nymox studies support statins in vascular-related Alzheimer's

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., June 20 - Nymox Pharmaceutical Corp. said newly published studies from Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Jena, New York University and Georgetown University Medical Center have provided data on the mechanisms whereby statin drugs are believed to produce beneficial effects on the brain for patients at risk for Alzheimer's because of vascular-related risk factors or disease.

In the Harvard-MIT study, the data showed that statin treatment increased neurite growth in brain cells by inhibiting certain specific signaling proteins (geranylgeranylated proteins).

The study from the University of Jena summarized a wide body of information on the neuroprotective effects of statin drugs, including multiple effects on endothelial function, cell proliferation, inflammatory response, immunological reactions, platelet function and lipid oxidation.

The paper from NYU and Georgetown reported on the finding that statins cause brain cholesterol to translocate within the plasma membrane, but do not lower brain cholesterol, suggesting that statin effects on cholesterol distribution produces the beneficial effects of the drugs on the brain.

Statins are a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, with estimated 2004 global sales of $26 billion, according to a news release.

Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, afflicting an estimated 4.5 million people in the United States.

Nymox is a pharmaceutical company located in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.

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