Aspirin May Help Reduce Effects of Alzheimer's Disease

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests daily low doses of aspirin may help reduce the effects of Alzheimer's disease and protect memory, reports United Press International . The researchers demonstrated that aspirin shrinks amyloid plaque in the brain because it stimulates lysosomes, which help clear cellular debris. For one month, mice genetically modified to have Alzheimer's-like conditions were administered aspirin, and then were assessed for the amount of amyloid plaque in the parts of the brain most affected by the disease. The team discovered that the drug increased the waste removal regulator protein TFEB, stimulated lysosomes, and reduced amyloid plaque in the animals. "This research study adds another potential benefit to aspirin's already established uses for pain relief and for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases," says Rush Medical College Professor Kalipada Pahan. "More research needs to be completed, but the findings of our study has major potential implications for the therapeutic use of aspirin in AD and other dementia-related illnesses."