Lipid and statin effects on stroke and dementia

Stroke and dementia are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Although elevated cholesterol level has not been a significant risk factor for cerebrovascular disease events, statins produce pleiotropic effects beyond cholesterol lowering and have been shown to reduce major cerebrovascular events, including stroke and transient ischemic attack. This review looks at the effects of this class of agents on major diseases of the central nervous system.