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Ibuprofen May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s
PAINKILLER PROMISE? Study reports ibuprofen and similar drugs may significantly cut your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. But doctors concerned about side effects warn against taking painkillers in hopes of preventing the disease.
A recent study found that using ibuprofen for more than five years reduced the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 40%. Despite these potential benefits, Prof. Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, said, “Whilst this is important research it does not mean that people should start taking ibuprofen to reduce their risk of developing dementia." (BBC, 5/5/08)
Study Compares 249,000 Veterans
Combing Veterans Affairs medical records, researchers at Boston University School of Medicine looked at U.S. veterans 55 years old and older. More than 49,000 suffered from Alzheimer’s, while 200,000 in the study were free of any form of dementia.
Ibuprofen belongs to the family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs. Researchers reviewed the veterans’ prescription histories. Veterans who had taken certain types of NSAIDs reduced their risk of Alzheimer’s onset by 24%. Ibuprofen seemed to reduce the risk the greatest—40%—whereas some NSAIDs like Celebrex appeared to have no benefit.
The researchers published their results in Neurology yesterday.
NSAIDs: Not So Fast
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said, "The apparent connection between ibuprofen and a reduced risk of dementia is no silver bullet, but indicates an exciting direction for future research." (BBC, 5/5/08)
But according to the study’s lead author, Dr. Steven Vlad, NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, do have side effects. If taken long term, they pose health risks such as
- ulcers,
- gastrointestinal bleeding,
- elevated blood pressure,
- kidney dysfunction, and
- cardiovascular problems.
Because of these side effects, “we still need trials to make sure the risks and benefits are very clear,” said Vlad. (BBC, 5/5/08)
Copyright © 2009 Informify
Sources
"Painkiller may cut dementia risk " (BBC News)
"Ibuprofen Linked to Reduced Alzheimer's Risk" (HealthDay News)
"Long-term ibuprofen use cut Alzheimer's risk: study " (Reuters)
"Lack of vitamin D linked to depression in the elderly " (AFP)
Question for Readers:
Even though the risks are not yet understood, do you have a sudden urge to hit the pharmacy for some ibuprofen?
- About 5.2 million Americans are afflicted with Alzheimer’s.
- It’s the most common form of dementia.
- It starts with mild memory loss and confusion, and develops into total memory loss and an inability to care for oneself.
- The disease is linked with inflammation in the body, which is why taking anti-inflammatory like NSAIDs seem to prevent Alzheimer’s.
- There is no cure and there are few effective treatments.
In other health news affecting seniors, Dutch researchers discovered a lack of vitamin D might exacerbate depression in the elderly. Researchers with the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam released their study results Monday:
- Of the 1,282 senior citizens aged 65 to 95 studied, 195 suffered some degree of depression.
- In the depressed elderly people, vitamin D levels were 14% lower than in the others.
- 38.8% of men had low levels of vitamin D
- 56.9% of women had low levels of vitamin D
- Vitamin D shortage can increase parathyroid gland activity.
- Overactive parathyroid glands are linked with depression.
- Low vitamin D levels, and thus high parathyroid activity, can be corrected by dietary and calcium supplements or more time in the sun.
- More studies will explore whether vitamin D levels dropped before or after the onset of depression.
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marilyn said:
| Yes, as an aging American, it seems very tempting. But I already use ibuprofin to ease my knee pain--so I'm actually more concerned about side affects. (And I, luckily, have no family hystery of Alzheimers.) |
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