By Anna Boyd Just one week after researchers from Boston University School of Medicine stated in a study that use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for five years was linked with a 24 percent reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s...

May 12, 2008

Boston (dbTechno) - The results of a large government study has revealed that common painkillers may not prevent Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia in elderly people.

The belief by scientists is that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve and Celebrex may prevent Alzheimer’s. This would work by reducing inflammation in the brain. The study has shown this is not the case though at all.

The study tested the common arthritis drug Celebrex as well as the over-the-counter painkiller Aleve to see if they helped with the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. It included more than 2,000 people who were 70-years old or older. They all had a family history of Alzheimer’s.

Not only did they not show any benefit, but the study actually had to be stopped early because of heart risks from those who took Celebrex.

Elderly who were given Aleve also had higher rates of heart attacks and strokes.

The authors of the study were not happy about the results to say the least, as this data was not what they were hoping for.

Researchers stated that with the side effects of these drugs, people should not be taking them to prevent Alzheimer’s.

The study will appear in July’s Archives of Neurology.

Source: dBTechno