Is there any neurologist out there that believes that statins can cause memory problems/dementia? My parents are going to Mayo for a second opinon, of course they can't get in until December. I emailed a neurologist at the University of Pittsburgh and he doesn't believe that statins cause any kind of "adverse effects on cognition". It's so frustrating. Who will take people seriously? My Dad was finally approved for disibility but it won't begin until December as well. My parents are really struggling and it's so hard to watch. There are days when I truly believe that is the statin side effects and then there are days when I think it is Alzheimers. I honestly don't know what to think. I just got back from reading a few books at the bookstore about Alzheimers' and makes me think that my Dad doesn't have it..... He's too young.. :( Just had to vent I guess......... thanks for listening! :confused:

The answer is yes. Look up Dr Duane Graveline. Also the people at the statin study at UCSD (type in statin study). Also Dr. Paul Phillips director of interventional cardiology at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. My mother also went to Mayo (#1 in neurology) and Washington University/Barnes Hospital in St. Louis (#2 in neurology). WE suggested many , many, many times that her problem was not only statins, but also the non-statin cholesterol medicines she was taking. They are NOT receptive. These are statin is spoken here facilities. Lipitor is the entire subject of a book by Dr Graveline (a former Nasa Doctor)...the title of his book? "LIPITOR, THEFT OF MEMORY." My mother has recently been on Zetia and Welchol. My sister went with my mother to the doctor last week and showed her the information form Health Canada that says Zetia can cause liver problems, myopathy etc. My mothers doctor said a liver test was not required because they wern't statins, and the information from Health Canada did not have anything to back it up. (The warning was written by Merck, the maker of Zetia).. My sister was waiting for the doctor to say we are not canadians so it did not apply. Anyway, she said to humor them she would order a liver test, but it wasn't necessary. Guess what? They called my mother today and told her that her liver test was elevated and to stop taking the Zetia and Welchol. My mother told them she did...right after she saw the doctor. I guess my point is fight hard now for your parents. You don't have a lot of time. Some of these things are not reversible, but most are if caught in time. what kind of cholesterol medication do they take? From our experience neurology is not the right department... mothers diagnosis was progressive neurodegenerative disease of unknown causes. really means getting old but sooner than usual. If you need anything, please ask. It might not be the cholesterol medication, but a result of the lowered cholesterol....cholesterol is needed for mental function. GOOD LUCK, please fight hard for them, I think my mother is too late

My mom was on lipitor for three yrs and she also had memory loss (among other side effects). All her doctors told her it could not be the lipitor. She walks with a cane now. Her memory did come back after she stopped the lipitor 3 yrs later. Zetia wasn't much better. Both caused her liver enzymes to elevate.

She lower her cholesterol with take control spread, olive oil, fish oil and diet and exercise. Good luck.

The book is "Thief of Memory" sorry I told you the wrong name

The book is "Thief of Memory" sorry I told you the wrong name

I haven't read the book, but someone posted about this Dr Duane Graveline, and I did a web search, mighty interesting reading. Can't figure out why our drs. won't even listen to you when U actually show them stuff like this.

I don't think they can read.