Alzheimer's Society: Research is important

Long-term use of particular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, could help to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, the Alzheimer's Society has said.

The charity's comments follow a study which found that people who used the painkiller ibuprofen for over five years were more than 40 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.

The research also found that people who used certain types of NSAIDS for more than five years were 25 per cent less likely to develop the form of dementia.

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, described the research as "interesting" and said it adds to the body of evidence on the protective effects of long-term use of NSAIDS on Alzheimer's disease.

"Importantly it demonstrates that long term use of particular NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, has a positive effect on reducing your risk of Alzheimer's disease," he added.

"Whilst this is important research it does not mean that people should start taking ibuprofen to reduce their risk of developing dementia. Long term use of NSAIDs is associated with a number of very significant side effects."

Professor Ballard continued: "It is now up to researchers to use these results in the development of future treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

"There are already ongoing clinical trials looking at the benefits of treatments with these properties in people with Alzheimer's disease, and this research suggests such treatments may also impact on people's risk of developing dementia in the future."