Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of dementia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may prevent dementia or cognitive impairment. DESIGN: A two-wave longitudinal study over 3.6 years. SETTING: A community survey of elderly persons living in Canberra, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: There were 1045 elderly persons aged 70 at the start of the study; cognitive assessment was obtained at both waves on 588. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cognitive functioning was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination, an episodic memory test, a test of mental speed and the National Adult Reading Test. Dementia was assessed using the Canberra Interview for the Elderly. RESULTS: On cross-sectional data, t..