Ibuprofen and Alzheimer's
A recent study suggests that taking Ibuprofen, or other non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications on a regular basis can dramatically reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. Effects are seen when used long term. This study does not suggest taking Ibuprofen to prevent mental illness, as there are side effects.
Overall, people who used NSAIDs long-term were at a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's -- about 25 percent lower. But the benefit was more pronounced with specific drugs.
The risk of developing Alzheimer's decreased the longer a person used ibuprofen, with those using the drug for five years more than 40 percent less likely to develop this dementia.
"It's not clear what the mechanisms are," Vlad said. It may have to do with reducing inflammation in the brain, reducing a component of the plaques which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's, or some as-yet unidentified process, he added.
"A clinical trial of ibuprofen for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease would be reasonable to get the risks and benefits," Vlad said. "There's also going to be ongoing research into developing drugs like ibuprofen without the toxicities."
A second study in the same issue of the journal, by U.S. researchers involved with the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study, found that people with shorter limbs may have a higher risk of developing dementia.
Alzcare in Texas. Caring help for Alzheimer’s patients in home settings.
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