An online experimental medicine trial on the effect of 28-day simvastatin administration on emotional processing, reward learning, working memory and salivary cortisol in healthy volunteers at risk for depression: OxSTEP protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence suggests inflammation may be a key mechanism by which psychosocial stress, including loneliness, predisposes to depression. Observational and clinical studies have suggested simvastatin, with its anti-inflammatory properties, may have a potential use in the treatment of depression. Previous experimental medicine trials investigating 7-day use of statins showed conflicting results, with simvastatin displaying a more positive effect on emotional processing compared with atorvastatin. It is possible that statins require longer administration in predisposed individuals before showing the expected positive effects on emotional processing.

Aims

Here, we aim to test the neuropsychological effects of 28-day simvastatin administration versus placebo, in healthy vo

SUBMITTER: Waters S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10304861 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature