Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians University, Department of Neurology publish findings in atorvastatin
2007 OCT 16 -- Researchers detail in 'Effects of short term atorvastatin treatment on cerebral hemodynamics in CADASIL,' new data in atorvastatin. According to recent research from Munich, Germany, "HMG-CoA-reductase-inhibitors (statins) exhibit pleiotropic beneficial effects on the vascular system including induction of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression which is critical for vasodilation. Recent studies suggest a beneficial effect of statins on cerebral vasoreactivity in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD)." "CADASIL is a monogenic form of SVD caused by mutations in the Notch3 gene. Treatment options are limited and little is known about the therapeutic role of statins in CADASIL. Twenty-four CADASIL subjects were treated with atorvastatin for 8 weeks. Treatment was started with 40 mg, followed by a dosage increase to 80 mg after 4 weeks. Transcranial Doppler sonography measuring mean flow velocity (MFV) in the middle cerebral artery was performed at baseline and the end of the treatment period. Vasoreactivity was assessed by hypercapnia and intravenous application of l-Arginine, which is the substrate for eNOS. There was no significant treatment effect on MFV (p=0.5) or cerebral vasoreactivity as assessed by hypercapnia (p=0.5) and intravenous l-Arginine (p=0.4) in the overall cohort. However, an inverse correlation was found between vasoreactivity at baseline and changes of both CO2 and l-Arginine-induced vasomotor response (both p<0.05)," wrote N. Peters and colleagues, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Department of Neurology. The researchers concluded: "Short term treatment with atorvastatin resulted in no significant improvement of hemodynamic parameters in the overall cohort of CADASIL subjects." Peters and colleagues published their study in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences (Effects of short term atorvastatin treatment on cerebral hemodynamics in CADASIL. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 2007;260(1-2):100-5). For additional information, contact N. Peters, Klinikum Grosshadern, Dept. of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, D-81377 Munich, Germany. Publisher contact information for the Journal of the Neurological Sciences is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. Keywords: Germany, Munich, Angiology, Atorvastatin. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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