Statins do not help depression

A team of scientists from Berlin’s Charité Clinic conducted a large-scale experiment involving 161 patients. All the participants suffered from both obesity and depression. They were treated with a standard antidepressant for 12 weeks. At the same time, half of them received an additional statin (simvastatin) and the other half received a placebo.

The results were tested according to all strict rules: double-blind study, biochemical analyses, questionnaires, comparison of inflammatory markers. The scientists wanted to find out if the symptoms of depression would be reduced in those taking statins.

In the beginning, things looked promising. Statins did improve cholesterol levels and reduced levels of inflammation in the blood. But the improvement in mood did not follow. Depression levels decreased the same in everyone – whether they took statins or not.

‘This is an important finding, especially for doctors and patients,’ says Professor Christian Otte, leader of the study. – ‘We cannot recommend statins as a treatment for depression, even if they have a positive effect on the body as a whole.’

Why did the hypothesis that statins could affect mood in the first place? It’s simple: obesity, depression and inflammation often go hand in hand. Scientists hoped that by reducing inflammation, they could also achieve a psycho-emotional effect. But the experiment proved: that’s not how it works.

Nevertheless, the study was not in vain. It confirmed that traditional antidepressants are still the main and most effective way of treatment. And statins should be used strictly as prescribed – to prevent cardiovascular disease.

In the future, the Charité team plans to study the blood samples in more detail – at the cellular and molecular level. It may be possible to find hidden connections that are not visible on the surface. In the meantime, there is no pill for depression ‘on the same page’.