Long-term use of common pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may reduce dementia risk by 12 percent, according to new research.

The study, which tracked more than 11,700 people for nearly 15 years, suggests that anti-inflammatory drugs could play a role in dementia prevention—although experts caution that prolonged NSAID use carries significant health risks.

Currently, about one in nine people aged 65 and older in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable type of dementia.

“Our study provides evidence on possible preventive effects of anti-inflammatory medication against the dementia process,” corresponding author Dr. M. Arfan Ikram of Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, said in a press statement.

Study Findings

The research, recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that among participants, 81 percent had used NSAIDs at some point, with long-term users showing a 12 percent lower risk of developing dementia compared with nonusers.

“Use of NSAIDs was associated with lower dementia risk for long-term users,” the authors wrote.

Conversely, those engaged in short-term or intermediate-term NSAID use faced slight increases in dementia risk.

Certain NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, and sulindac, have previously been shown to selectively decrease the production of amyloid beta 42, a specific form of amyloid beta protein that plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Other NSAIDs have not been shown to lower production of amyloid beta 42. These NSAIDs include naproxen, rofecoxib, nabumetone, ketoprofen, meloxicam, celecoxib, phenylbutazone, etoricoxib, and valdecoxib.

However, the findings showed reduced risk with the use of both amyloid-lowering and non-amyloid-lowering NSAIDs, suggesting that the potential beneficial effects of NSAIDs go beyond reduced amyloid deposition.

The researchers emphasized that more is not necessarily better.

“The cumulative dose of NSAIDs was not associated with decreased dementia risk,” they wrote, indicating that higher amounts of NSAIDs do not necessarily confer additional protective benefits against dementia.

Researchers used a prospective cohort design based on the Rotterdam Study, which has tracked the health of residents in the Rotterdam area since 1990. The cohort included 11,745 dementia-free people aged 45 and older at baseline.

They examined pharmacy dispensing records for NSAID use starting in 1991 and categorized participants into four groups: nonuse, short-term use of less than one month, intermediate-term use of between one month and 24 months, and long-term use of more than 24 months.

Researchers then monitored participants’ medical records for dementia occurrences until Jan. 1, 2020. During this period, 2,091 people were diagnosed with the neurodegenerative condition.

Prolonged Use Comes With Health Risks

While the study offers important insights into the relationship between inflammation and dementia, the authors highlighted the potential side effects and risks associated with prolonged NSAID use, particularly among older adults.

These effects include gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, stomach ulcers, cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke, kidney damage, and increased blood pressure. This is because NSAIDs affect the body’s natural protective mechanisms, which are often already compromised with age.

“There is a need for more studies to further consolidate this evidence and possibly develop preventive strategies,” Ikram said.

The relationship between NSAID use and a decreased risk of dementia is still uncertain, with previous research suggesting that NSAIDs may have the opposite effect. Some studies show an increased risk of dementia, while others show no effect. Experts suggest that while NSAIDs reduce inflammation, which is linked to dementia, other methods such as supplements, diet, and healthy habits might offer similar benefits with fewer side effects.

Alternative Approaches

When considering the pros and cons of using NSAIDs to lower dementia risk, several things should be considered, Erika Gray, pharmacist and chief medical officer of ToolBox Genomics, told The Epoch Times. These include “family history of dementia, personal history of GI bleeds and all major bleeds, kidney function, other conditions the patient has, and lab values,” she said.

The key takeaway from this study, according to Gray, is that chronic inflammation appears to be associated with developing dementia. She noted that while NSAIDs do decrease inflammation, there are other ways to reduce systemic inflammation.

Gray recommended inflammation-reducing supplements, including curcumin and systemic enzymes.

“Nattokinase, serrapeptase, and protease are the three big ones,” she said. She also recommended eating anti-inflammatory foods such as garlic and ginger.

Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels and lowering average blood sugar in those with diabetes and prediabetes also helps, she noted.

“These are strategies that could be used to lower overall inflammation, which may decrease the risk of dementia without the possible side effects of NSAIDs,” Gray said.