The latest study of people who take large amounts of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) indicates that, contrary to what earlier studies suggested, they don’t seem to cut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. In fact, it’s just the opposite: “During the study, 476 people developed dementia, and heavy NSAID users had a 66% higher risk of developing the condition than those with low or no use.”

The study doesn’t disprove that inflammation may be a factor in Alzheimer’s, just that NSAIDs don’t seem to be preventive. As for any earlier studies that suggested the drugs helped, one expert says they were probably biased by the test groups:

Duke aging expert Murali Doraiswamy says that the latest results aren’t a revelation to him and that previous trials evaluating Vioxx, aspirin and prednisone, among other anti-inflammatory medications, did not show reduced risks cognitive decline. “Any benefits noted in prior studies were likely due to an epiphenomenon – the people taking NSAIDS were younger, healthier and better educated, all of which biased the results.”

You can read about the details of the study here.

“Anti-inflammatory drugs don’t cut dementia risk, they raise it” [USA Today]
(Photo: LoreleiRanveig)

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