In cognitively healthy older adults, statin use is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline over time, as measured by smaller annual decreases in 3MSE scores and smaller increases in ADAS-Cog scores, though the effect size is modest.

Statin drugs that dissolve in fat enter the brain and lower cholesterol production in brain cells. This change reduces the buildup of a toxic protein called amyloid-beta, which damages nerve cells. At the same time, blood vessels in the brain become healthier and more efficient at delivering oxygen and nutrients. Together, these changes protect brain cells from damage and slow the loss of thinking skills over time.