Pain Relievers Don't Prevent Alzheimer's

Ivanhoe Newswire
Thursday, April 26, 2007; 12:00 AM

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Common pain relievers may not prevent Alzheimer's disease after all.

 New research from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore finds the over-the-counter medication naproxen (Aleve) and the prescription drug celecoxib (Celebrex) do not prevent Alzheimer's disease. These findings contradict earlier research that showed taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may protect against Alzheimer's.

The study looked at more than 2,100 people older than age 70 at six dementia research clinics across the country. Participants had no signs of dementia but had a family history of Alzheimer's disease. They were randomly assigned to take daily doses of naproxen, celecoxib, or placebo for up to four years. Most participants took the medication for less than two years. Results show neither drug reduced Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Previous studies suggest NSAIDs can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease when taken over a long period of time.

"One possible explanation for this inconsistency is that our findings relate specifically to celecoxib and naproxen but not to other commonly used NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen," study author John C.S. Breitner, M.D., VA Puget Sound Health Care was quoted as saying. "Or the drugs may not prevent the progression of disease in people who have advanced Alzheimer's pathology without symptoms -- the very people most likely to develop symptoms within a year or two."

For now, the study authors urge people not to take celecoxib and naproxen primarily as a way to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

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SOURCE: Neurology, published online April 25, 2007