Simvastatin therapy prevents brain trauma-induced increases in beta-amyloid peptide levels

Elevations in β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) levels after traumatic brain injury (TBI) may confer risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease in head trauma patients. This study investigated the effects of simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, on hippocampal Aβ burden in a clinically relevant head injury/intervention model using mice expressing human Aβ. Simvastatin therapy blunted TBI-induced increases in Aβ, reduced hippocampal tissue damage and microglial activation, and improved behavioral outcome. The ability of statins to reduce post-injury beta amyloid load and ameliorate pathological sequelae of brain injury makes them potentially effective in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in TBI patients.