Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

As is the case with aspirin and cancer prevention, the possibility that aspirin may reduce the risk of dementia is based on observational studies. The most likely explanation, if such an association exists, is that aspirin reduces the risk of ischaemic stroke and indirectly lowers the risk of dementia that complicates vascular disease. In a recent trial, neither COX-selective (celecoxib) nor non-selective NSAIDs (naproxen) were found to reduce the risk of dementia (Neurology 2007;68:1800-8;www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/68/21/1800).

There is some evidence that NSAIDs may be associated with a reduced
risk of Alzheimer's disease though the evidence for aspirin itself is
inconclusive. In this case, the mechanism may be an anti-inflammatory
effect or a more specific action on protein deposition in the brain.

• Aspirin Foundation Position Paper
Aspirin and the risk of haemorrhagic stroke