Study: Statins Increase Aggression In Women, Decrease It In Men

Statin use is associated with an increase in aggressive behavior in women and with a decrease in aggression in men, according to a recent study.

Previous research has linked lowered cholesterol and statin use with aggression, but statins also possess qualities that could, in theory, reduce aggression, according to researchers.
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In order to further evaluate the relationship between statin use and aggression, researchers conducted a randomized, double blind study of 1016 adults (692 men and 324 women). The participants were randomized to receive placebo, simvastatin 20mg, or pravastatin 40mg for 6 months.

Researchers used the Overt-Aggression-Scale-Modified-Aggression-Subscale, which measures frequency of aggressive acts toward the individual themself, objects, and other people, to assess the participants’ behavioral aggression. They also measured the participants’ testosterone levels and quality of sleep.

Overall, researchers found that women who were treated with either statin became more aggressive than those treated with placebo, especially women over 45 years old and those who had the lowest levels of aggression at baseline.

Men treated with statins, however—particularly younger men with high levels of aggression at baseline—saw a decrease in aggressive behavior compared to those taking placebo.

Statin use was also found to be associated with decreases in testosterone levels, which is associated with decreased aggression, and increases in the frequency of sleep problems, which are associated with increased aggression.

“[S]leep change and testosterone change represent identified potential mediators that may help to explain both the typical direction effect in men, and the exceptions. The possibility that other mediators and effect modifiers may influence effects of statins on aggression cannot be excluded,” they concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

1. Golomb BA, Dimsdale JE, Doslik HJ, et al. Statin effects on aggression: results from the UCSD statin study, a randomized control trial. PLOS One. July 2015 [epub ahead of print].    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124451