# Statin Treatment and Incident Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in a Large, Multi-ethnic Health Plan

> **NIH NIH RF1** · KAISER FOUNDATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2020 · $2,999,547

## Abstract

Project Summary/ Abstract
Millions of middle-aged and older adults are using statins, and despite the attention that has been given to the
possibility that statin treatment may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), there
is substantial uncertainty about such a benefit, as well as concern regarding possible adverse effects of statins
on cognitive function. Even a small benefit or harm for ADRD risk could be of substantial public health
importance, but prior research has not had access to sufficiently large cohorts with detailed covariate data to
provide precise estimates with full control for confounding by indication or other threats to internal validity.
This project uses the comprehensive electronic health records (EHRs) of Kaiser Permanente Northern
California on a diverse, multi-ethnic cohort of over 1 million individuals age 65 and over (34% statin users),
with longitudinal data on laboratory measures (including LDL cholesterol) and related clinical conditions, and
a survey of 254,000 providing additional socioeconomic and behavioral risk factor data. These data resources
combine the advantages of both a large administrative longitudinal data set with the advantages of detailed lab,
pharmacy, and covariate control. With these data we will be able to evaluate (AIM 1) the net effect of initiating
statins on the risk of ADRD and whether the effects of statins depend on type, timing, duration, or dose. These
are all easily modified factors and precise estimates of their potential benefit or harm would have immediate
clinical relevance. We will also evaluate (AIM 2) whether effects differ based on social, demographic, clinical, or
genetic background. The KPNC membership is exceptionally racially/ethnically diverse, so we will be able to
provide rigorous tests of whether effects differ for African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, or non-Latino
Whites. Genetic information is available for over 67,000 participants, permitting evaluation of whether major
ADRD genetic risk factors or genetic variants related to lipid response and cardiovascular disease modify the
effects of statins on ADRD. Finally, we will evaluate (AIM 3) whether statins influence ADRD risk via changes
in LDL levels, diagnosed cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease, or via other mechanisms. If so, this opens
the path for future research on how to leverage these different mechanisms, either with statins or potentially
via other pharmacotherapies or interventions. These aims are independently essential to help explain
inconsistent results from prior research on statins and dementia. The research team assembled to accomplish
these aims includes expertise on all the data sources, statins, pharmacoepidemiology, statistical genetics, and
epidemiologic methods for study of ADRD. The possibility that statins might be judiciously applied to reduce
lifetime risk of ADRD would impact current guidelines for use of statins and would be a powerful advance
towards...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10062772
- **Project number:** 1RF1AG069259-01
- **Recipient organization:** KAISER FOUNDATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Medellena Maria Glymour
- **Activity code:** RF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,999,547
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10062772

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10062772, Statin Treatment and Incident Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in a Large, Multi-ethnic Health Plan (1RF1AG069259-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10062772. Licensed CC0.

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