Depression and Cardiovascular Risk Markers: Effects of Rosuvastatin Therapy

Depression and Cardiovascular Risk Markers: Effects of Rosuvastatin Therapy

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether rosuvastatin decreases measures of inflammation in depressive patients.

Depression is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, in which one possible mechanism is systemic inflammation. Further, patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, rosuvastatin decreases the risk, especially among patients with increased inflammation. This is a proof-of-concept study to investigate whether the antiinflammatory effect of rosuvastatin is similar in depressive as in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Persisting self-reported depressive symptoms > 5 weeks
• Indications of aortic atherosclerosis on PET/CT

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical indication of statin use.
• Contraindication of statins, or of PET/CT and MRI.
• Established cardiovascular disease.
• Bipolar disorder og comorbid psychosis.