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Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic progressive neurologic disorder that robs patients of their memories and ability to think. Alzheimers progression is a slow insidious process that is associated with the deposition of protein lesions or amyloid plaques in parts of the brain that are associated with memory formation and retrieval. The cost of alzheimers care in the elderly in human and financial terms is enormous so research into possible preventative measures is very important.

Chronic exposure to ibuprofen ( Motrin ) and other NSAID drugs that are used for treatment of various aches and pains was associated with a decreased chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease ( based on a study from the May 6, 2008, issue of Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology). Earlier research has shown conflicting results, however this is the longest study of its kind.

In this paper, over forty nine thousand veterans aged 55 and older who were Alzheimer’s patients and one hundred ninety six thousand veterans without Alzheimer’s disease were compared. The research continued over five years and looked at the use of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The veterans had received prescriptions and were patients in the VA health care system. Researchers demonstrated that patients who specifically used ibuprofen for more than 5 years had a 40% reduction in their chances of getting symptoms of alzheimers. The study further demonstrated that the longer ibuprofen was used, the lower the risk for dementia.

Also another important finding was that people who used some other types of NSAIDs for more than five years were 25 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than patients who did not take the NSAID medications. Some NSAIDs such as indomethacin may also have been associated with lower risks for Alzheimers disease, but others such as celecoxib did not appear to help reduce Alzheimer’s risk. “These results suggest that the effect may be due to specific NSAIDs rather than all NSAIDs as a class,” said study author Steven Vlad, MD, with Boston University School of Medicine. “Some of these medications taken long term decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s very dependent on the exact drugs used. It doesn’t appear that all NSAIDs decrease the risk at the same rate,” said Vlad. “One reason ibuprofen may have come out so far ahead is that it is by far the most commonly used.”

This type of research does not prove a cause and effect relationship although there could be one. The study is subject to what is called “indication bias.” That means that it might not be the NSAID use that drove the lower risk of dementia, but rather something about the people who chose to use the NSAIDs that was responsible. These findings should not be taken to mean that NSAIDs should be administered to prevent dementia. The most common side effects of NSAIDs are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, constipation and headache.

ref: http://www.aan.com/press/index.cfm?fuseaction=release.view&release=624