Early trial results published in The Lancet medical journal show that statins, the inexpensive cholesterol-lowering tablets, may slow brain shrinkage in people with progressive MS. Currently there are no treatments that can stop MS from worsening in people with MS so this study brings renewed hope to those with this stage of MS. 140 patients with secondary progressive MS, led by researcher Dr Jeremy Chataway at University College London, were randomly assigned either 80mg of a statin (simvastatin) or a placebo for two years in this phase two trial. Over this period the findings show that patients receiving the simvastatin saw brain shrinkage slow by 43% compared to those treated with the placebo. Dr Chataway stressed: “Caution should be taken regarding over-interpretation of our brain imaging findings, because these might not necessarily translate into clinical benefit. However, our promising results warrant further investigation in larger phase three disability-driven trials.” Statins are taken by millions of people to lower cholesterol and the research team at UCL believe statins may have an anti-inflammatory effect, protecting nerves from damage. Further reading