People’s Pharmacy | New research sheds light on statins and confusion
Statins remain the cornerstone of heart disease prevention. Over 50 million Americans take a drug such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin or simvastatin every day. These medications lower cholesterol extremely well.
Many cardiologists believe that statins have few, if any, side effects. One especially controversial symptom that our readers have reported is cognitive dysfunction. It can manifest in many different ways.
In May 2000, we received the first indication that statins might affect the brain: “Last fall my doctor prescribed atorvastatin, and after several months I found I was having trouble remembering names and coming up with the right word. At dinner once I said ‘please pass the elephant’ though I wanted the bread. I told my husband I thought I’d had a stroke.
“In January a friend came to visit. She was worried about her memory and couldn’t think of her daughter’s name on the telephone. She too was on atorvastatin.
“I asked my doctor to prescribe a different cholesterol medicine. Within a couple of weeks, I was more mentally alert. But my friend (still on atorvastatin) was in worse shape and afraid she would lose her job. Her doctor said forgetfulness could not be due to the drug. She finally stopped taking this statin and now is much sharper.
“I am concerned that some people taking atorvastatin might think such a reaction was just due to getting older. Is this side effect well known?”
In 2000 there was no mention of cognitive impairment in the prescribing information for most statins. Now, however, the FDA requires this warning for atorvastatin:
“There have been rare reports of cognitive impairment (e.g., memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia, memory impairment, confusion) associated with the use of all statins. Cognitive impairment was generally nonserious, and reversible upon statin discontinuation, with variable times to symptom onset (1 day to years) and symptom resolution (median of 3 weeks).”
Many healthcare professionals dismiss such complications. Some insist that they are not real because they did not show up in the original randomized controlled trials necessary for FDA approval. Others maintain that if such complications occur, they are extremely rare.
A new study sheds light on a possible mechanism to explain how statins might lead to cognitive difficulties. Researchers writing in the journal NeuroToxicology (March 2026) that rosuvastatin affects the function of brain cells called microglia. These cells patrol the brain, removing debris and fighting infections. They also control inflammation and help keep neurons healthy and working well.
The research showed that rosuvastatin interferes with microglia signaling. As a result, these cells are less able to move around the brain to address trouble. They also age far more quickly and become less able to calm inflammation or remove pathogens. The conclusion: “These findings suggest that rosuvastatin-induced disruption of microglial function may contribute to cognitive impairment.”
This new research may help explain why so many of our readers have complained about brain fog, memory problems and mental confusion. There are even reports of transient global amnesia (TGA) in which people temporarily forget key aspects of their life.
Fortunately, these reactions do not appear to be common. Most people can take a statin without experiencing cognitive impairment. But the new research suggests that prescribers should take this complaint seriously, now that there is a plausible explanation for it.
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 3:00 AM with the headline "People’s Pharmacy | New research sheds light on statins and confusion."