Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 5: A new study suggests that long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help lower the risk of developing dementia, a condition affecting over 55 million people worldwide. The study, led by M. Arfan Ikram from Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam in the Netherlands, supports the idea that inflammation contributes to dementia progression. Since NSAIDs possess anti-inflammatory properties, they may offer protective benefits against cognitive decline.

The research analyzed data from 11,745 adults over an average follow-up period of 14.5 years. Among the participants, 9,520 had used NSAIDs at some point, while 2,091 developed dementia. Findings revealed that long-term NSAID use was linked to a 12% lower risk of dementia. However, short-term and intermediate-term use did not provide significant benefits, and higher cumulative NSAID doses were not associated with additional risk reduction. These findings, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, indicate that consistent, prolonged NSAID use—not just high doses—may help protect brain health.

Additional research published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, which examined health data from over 130 million individuals, further supports this link. It found that antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations, and anti-inflammatory drugs were all associated with a reduced risk of dementia. This supports the theory that common dementias may be triggered by bacterial or viral infections.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 10 million new dementia cases are diagnosed annually, making it the seventh leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability and dependence among older adults. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, accounts for 60-70% of cases.

While the study highlights NSAIDs' potential role in dementia prevention, researchers stress the need for further studies to confirm these findings and explore new preventive strategies. Ikram emphasized that more research is required to solidify the evidence and potentially develop effective approaches to combat dementia.