Ibuprofen Cuts Alzheimer's Risk: Study

Anti-inflammatory drugs reduced risk 40%, but experts sound note of caution
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 6, 2008 7:35 AM CDT
Ibuprofen Cuts Alzheimer's Risk: Study
Ibuprofen and some similar drugs in the same class significantly reduced the risk of developing dementia, according to a recent study of 250,000 veterans.   ((c) allygirl520)

Long-term use of ibuprofen and some similar drugs cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to new research. The study found the drugs cut the risk of dementia by more than 40%, WebMD reports. Doctors warn, however, that such medications can have serious side effects and that it 's too early to recommend taking them to ward off the disease.

"I would not advise patients to start taking an NSAID to prevent Alzheimer's," said one of the authors of the study, published in the journal Neurology.  "We would need a lot more research to figure out the risk-benefit ratio." NSAIDs apparently reduce the inflammation associated with Alzheimer's. (More ibuprofen stories.)

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