Relationship between prior statin therapy and radiological features and clinical outcomes of intracerebral hemorrhage

Besides lowering cholesterol level via inhibition of hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, statins have other putative pleiotropic effects.1 Several preclinical studies suggest that statins exert neuroprotective effects after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) by reducing brain edema, accelerating hematoma clearance, and improving neurologic function.2-6 These benefits have been attributed to statin's effects on increased neurogenesis, decreased endothelial inflammatory response and inflammatory cell infiltration in the hematomal and perihematomal brain tissues, increased hematoma reabsorption, protection and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier, and various pathways involved in the mechanisms of ICH-induced secondary brain injury.
Source: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research