MEDIA STATEMENT

26th February 2007

Response to BMJ Online First article ‘Low dose aspirin and cognitive function in the women’s health study cognitive cohort’

The Aspirin Foundation is aware of research(1), published today on bmj.com, regarding aspirin and cognitive decline.

It is worth noting that there is a body of evidence (2) (3) that does suggest that low dose aspirin may be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The evidence demonstrates that aspirin may help prevent both the condition resulting from impaired blood flow and the most serious form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease.

Nick Henderson, Executive Director of the Aspirin Foundation says, “We welcome all research regarding the use of aspirin, particularly in this area.”




Notes to Editors

* Aspirin has been available for over 100 years and is used by millions of people to effectively treat pain, reduce inflammation and to reduce fever/raised temperatures.
* Aspirin is the most widely used medicine in the world with an estimated 100 billion tablets swallowed every year.
* Aspirin substantially reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke in millions of people in the UK alone, by virtue of its anticoagulant properties.


References:


1. http://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/april/aspirin.pdf
2. Etminan M. Gill S. Samii A. Br Med J 2003;327:128-3 (http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/327/7407/128.pdf)
3. Antithrombotic Trialists' Collaboration.Br Med J 2002;324;71-86
(http://www.bmj.com/cgi/data/324/7329/71/DC2/1)