Statins could cut dementia risk by 25 pc

Scientists have revealed that statins drugs can slash the risk of dementia by a quarter.

Researchers from the National Taipei Medical University and the National Yang-Ming University found that the higher the dose of the drugs and the longer patients took them, the greater was the potential for warding off the disease, the Daily Express reported.

According to the study, patients prescribed the drugs at any time were 22 per cent less likely to suffer brain problems than those who never took them, while women saw the greatest benefit, with the risk reduced by 24 per cent.

Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said that similar studies in other countries have also associated statin use with lower dementia risk.

The study is published in the International Journal of Cardiology.