Statins in stroke: Prevention, protection and recovery

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stroke is the third most common cause of death and the leading cause of neurological disability in the USA. While some risk factors for stroke, such as hypertension and cigarette smoking, are well defined, the role of cholesterol in stroke pathogenesis is debated. However, numerous studies in the past decade have shown that medications that reduce cholesterol via 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibition (statins) reduce the incidence of ischemic stroke in patients who are known to have, or be at high risk of, coronary artery disease. In addition, statins may have benefits in neuroprotection and recovery after stroke. The mechanisms by which statins protect against, and improve outcome after, stroke probably extend beyond lipid lowering.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)195-202
Number of pages8
JournalExpert Review of Neurotherapeutics
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2006

Keywords

  • Acute stroke
  • Cholesterol
  • Nitric oxide
  • Prevention
  • Statins

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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