01 Sep ESC 2026 Conference: Earlier Statin Use After Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis Associated With Lower Dementia Risk
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Shoaib Afzal, MD, PhD, DMSc
Professor; Chief Physician, Clinical Biochemistry
Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev Hospital, Denmark
Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen Link to Video of Interview
Dr. Shoaib Afzal[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Afzal: With aging populations, the burden of dementia is projected to rise but we still do not have effective treatments. However, there may be a window of opportunity for prevention earlier in life as several treatable risk factors are associated with higher risks of dementia. One of these risk factors is elevated LDL cholesterol that can be lowered with statins. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, people with type 2 diabetes are at significantly elevated risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and statin therapy is a cornerstone of risk reduction in this population.
Our study showed that in type 2 diabetes patients being on statins was associated with 15% lower risk of dementia and that those starting earlier rather than later had even lower risk.