According to the results of a new study featured in the July 29 issue of Neurology, those who use statin drugs are less likely to develop dementia.

The study, coordinated by Mary N. Haan, professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, compiled data gathered from 1,674 Mexican-Americans with ages over 60, over a five year period.

By the time the study was completed, 130 participants in the study had developed dementia. With the 27 percent of participants who were taking statins, the dementia incidence was half that observed with the ones who didn’t take the drugs.

One of the leading causes for dementia is believed to be the poor blood supply to the brain; statin drugs, among other effects, are known to be bringing down the cholesterol level. As cholesterol clogs up blood vessels and prevents blood from reaching the brain, the way these drugs help maintain brain health becomes quite obvious.

Despite the recently found results, researchers advise people to only take statins when they are instructed by medically competent personnel. Dr. Clive Ballard, of the Alzheimer's Society said all drugs come with side-effects and it is therefore important to be well informed before taking medication.

It is estimated that about four million people are taking statin drugs in England and Wales alone; also in the UK, there are more than 700,000 people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

As more and more studies are being conducted on this, the piling information will eventually lead to finding a cure and a way to prevent the condition’s occurance and, in the mean time, to identifying a way to improve the quality of life for those already hit by the disease.