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Study Challenges Ibuprofen for Alzheimer’s Prevention, but “Something is going on”

According to a new report, Ibuprofen offers no better protection against Alzheimer’s disease than any other NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). The results have challenged the most recent report that showed Ibuprofen use reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 23%. Study investigator, Peter P. Zandi, PhD, from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Baltimore, Maryland, says,”This is an interesting finding, because it seems to challenge a current theory that the NSAID group that includes ibuprofen may work better in reducing a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s.

NSAID”S fall into two different categories, or subgroups. Ibuprofen is a selective A?-42–lowering agent, or SALA. A?-42 is found in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Other types of NSAID’s (non-SALA), include aspirin and naproxen. We’re being cautioned not to use Ibuprofen or any NSAID to prevent Alzheimer’s disease because of the side effects and the need for further studies.

The newest research pooled data from six studies, involving 13,499 people, and compared the protective effect of SALA’s and non-SALA anti-inflammatories. According to the new investigation, there was no difference between the two when it came to Alzheimer’s prevention.

According to Maria Carrillo, director of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, “The Alzheimer’s Association does not recommend you take NSAIDs on a daily basis because there are a lot of side effects… The jury is still out on whether NSAIDs can be protective against Alzheimer’s.” Dr. Zandi says, “That leaves a conundrum, a scientific mystery. What’s very clear is that observational data is very consistent, that there is a reduction in risk among people using NSAIDs, so there’s something going on.”

Source: May 28 online issue of Neurology

Posted by Kathleen, RN

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