Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs for the prevention of dementia

Review objective: To evaluate the effects of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the prevention of dementia. In view of the perceived association between inflammation and Alzheimer's disease and stroke or multiple strokes arising from multiple infarcts in vascular dementia, research has focused on assessing whether anti-inflammatory drugs may have a role in the management of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia and whether these drugs may have a role in the prevention of dementia. The efficacy of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia have been evaluated in Cochrane systematic reviews (Orrell, 2012; Jaturapatporn et al., 2012). But as yet, a Cochrane systematic review has not been undertaken on the efficacy of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the prevention of dementia. Furthermore, dementia, particularly, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, have become a major health concern worldwide, and therefore any intervention that may reduce the risk or prevent the onset of dementia would have a major public health impact. 

Award Date

29 September 2013

Award Value

€56,162

Principal Investigator

Ms Fionnuala Jordan

Host Institution

National University of Ireland, Galway

Scheme

Cochrane Training Fellowships