Putting Alzheimer's Study Into Perspective
Putting Alzheimer's Study Into Perspective
Nov. 8, 2001 -- Recently you may have seen reports of a study about how common anti-inflammatory drugs, like Advil and Motrin, may be able to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Sounds great at first, but what does this really mean for you right now?
The researchers at the University of California in San Diego did find that certain anti-inflammatory drugs, often used to treat arthritis and other types of pain, did decrease the levels of the destructive protein found in brains plagued with Alzheimer's disease -- at least in mice.
The researchers also found that only certain anti-inflammatory drugs appear to have what it takes in preventing Alzheimer's disease -- ibuprofen, indomethacin, and sulindac. But aspirin, also an anti-inflammatory drug, did not do the trick.
But what you may have missed from the story is the fact that the doses of ibuprofen given were at levels that could likely lead to problems down the road if taken for a long time.
The recommended maximum dose of ibuprofen is 3,200 milligrams a day -- equal to 16 over-the-counter pills. This is the amount that was used in this study, but it is rarely given to people to treat long-term pain or arthritis.
This level of ibuprofen taken for a long time would be more likely to cause stomach ulcers and bleeding and possibly kidney failure, two of the most concerning side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. These side effects would be particularly worrisome in the elderly and in those with heart disease or diabetes.
So why do doctors perform research like this?
Clinically useful research has to start somewhere. The point of this very interesting finding is not to go out and gorge on ibuprofen to prevent Alzheimer's disease. The point is to develop another chemical down the road that can help prevent Alzheimer's without the side effect of toxic doses of anti-inflammatory drugs.
So the next step is for researchers to go back to the drawing board and figure out what it is about these drugs that stops formation of these damaging proteins that lead to Alzheimer's disease. And hopefully this will lead to a breakthrough finding that could benefit us all -- but science isn't there yet.
Putting Alzheimer's Study Into Perspective
Nov. 8, 2001 -- Recently you may have seen reports of a study about how common anti-inflammatory drugs, like Advil and Motrin, may be able to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Sounds great at first, but what does this really mean for you right now?
The researchers at the University of California in San Diego did find that certain anti-inflammatory drugs, often used to treat arthritis and other types of pain, did decrease the levels of the destructive protein found in brains plagued with Alzheimer's disease -- at least in mice.
The researchers also found that only certain anti-inflammatory drugs appear to have what it takes in preventing Alzheimer's disease -- ibuprofen, indomethacin, and sulindac. But aspirin, also an anti-inflammatory drug, did not do the trick.
But what you may have missed from the story is the fact that the doses of ibuprofen given were at levels that could likely lead to problems down the road if taken for a long time.
The recommended maximum dose of ibuprofen is 3,200 milligrams a day -- equal to 16 over-the-counter pills. This is the amount that was used in this study, but it is rarely given to people to treat long-term pain or arthritis.
This level of ibuprofen taken for a long time would be more likely to cause stomach ulcers and bleeding and possibly kidney failure, two of the most concerning side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. These side effects would be particularly worrisome in the elderly and in those with heart disease or diabetes.
So why do doctors perform research like this?
Clinically useful research has to start somewhere. The point of this very interesting finding is not to go out and gorge on ibuprofen to prevent Alzheimer's disease. The point is to develop another chemical down the road that can help prevent Alzheimer's without the side effect of toxic doses of anti-inflammatory drugs.
So the next step is for researchers to go back to the drawing board and figure out what it is about these drugs that stops formation of these damaging proteins that lead to Alzheimer's disease. And hopefully this will lead to a breakthrough finding that could benefit us all -- but science isn't there yet.
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