Daily aspirin could help to stop Alzheimer’s in its tracks, scientists believe
Tests on mice showed the over-the-counter medicine destroyed rogue proteins which build up in the brain
A DAILY aspirin could be used to help stop Alzheimer’s in its tracks, scientists believe.
Tests on mice showed the over-the-counter medicine destroyed rogue proteins which build up in the brain.
These clump together into plaques which stop brain cells communicating with each other — leading to the memory loss and confusion typical of the disease.
Aspirin is already used by millions to reduce inflammation in the body, the process which triggers most major life-threatening illnesses.
The US team has found the painkiller also boosts a chemical which cleans up cells of plaques, including those made of the amyloid beta proteins in the brain which are linked to Alzheimer’s.
They are hopeful the mice results will also be found in humans, and that an aspirin pill a day could prove a new way of fighting the dementia.
Prof Kalipada Pahan of Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago, said: “At present, there is no effective treatment for preventing or halting the disease.
“Oral administration of a low dose of aspirin decreased amyloid plaques in male and female mice.” About 850,000 Britons live with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
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Prof Kalipada Pahan of Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago, said: “At present, there is no effective treatment for preventing or halting the disease.
“Oral administration of a low dose of aspirin decreased amyloid plaques in male and female mice.”
About 850,000 Britons live with Alzheimer’s and dementia
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