Effects of lovastatin and pravastatin on cognitive function in military aircrew

Background. As evidence has accumulated for the role of HMG-CoA reductase i nhibitors in the primary prevention of coronary artery disease, younger ind ividuals with no other co-morbid conditions will be increasingly exposed to these agents. Some HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have been reported to caus e impairment of daytime cognitive processes that have the potential to dire ctly impact the ability of pilots and other aircrew to perform. These studi es suggested that there might be cognitive effects of these medications tha t would argue against their routine use in populations whose activities req uired high, sustained levels of cognitive performance. The objective of thi s study is to establish the effects of pravastatin and lovastatin on aircre w daytime cognitive function using tests that are correlated with actual co ckpit tasks and inflight performance. Methods: Military aircrew with hyperc holesterolemia were enrolled in the study and assigned to lovastatin, prava statin or placebo groups. Baseline cognitive and vigilance testing was perf ormed with computerized test instruments. Following a 4-wk treatment period , subjects were retested on both cognitive and vigilance tasks. Results. La boratory studies confirmed that both medications were effective in lowering cholesterol. No major treatment-related side effects were encountered. Cog nitive performance was not affected by either active treatment, and was not different from that of the placebo group. Conclusions: The tested medicati ons did not have significant effects on performance as measured by two comp uterized performance tests. The data suggest that neither medication has si gnificant effects on flight-related performance.