DOCTOR'S VIEW ARCHIVE Anti-inflammatory Drugs Protect Against
Alzheimer's Disease? Alzheimer's disease is a progressive
degenerative disorder of the brain which is the most common
cause of dementia. It is characterized by abnormal judgment,
orientation, memory, emotions, and thinking, most often
affecting the elderly. There is no known cure. There is no known
prevention. Researchers affiliated with the University of
British Columbia published summary data in the journal Neurology
(1996;47:425-432) which indicate that steroids and nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have a protective effect
against Alzheimer's's disease. Patrick L. McGeer, M.D., Ph.D.
and associates statistically evaluated 17 previous preliminary
studies which, when pooled, suggested a significantly reduced
risk of developing and progression of Alzheimer's's disease for
persons taking anti-inflammatory drugs. The authors, therefore,
concluded that the anti-inflammatory drugs may delay the onset
as well as slow the progression of