Lipid-lowering medicines, known as statins, are prescribed in cases of high cholesterol levels, to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. The results of some small studies suggest that statins could also have an antidepressive effect. Researchers from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have now conducted an extensive study to investigate this claim. However, they could not verify that statins cause any antidepressive additional effects. As a result, the researchers suggest following the general guidelines and prescribing statins to help lower cholesterol, but not to manage depression. The study has now been published in the JAMA Psychiatry* journal.