Published 1 September 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a958
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a958

Editorials

Using aspirin to prevent cognitive decline

Is not effective in asymptomatic middle aged to elderly adults

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The rationale for using aspirin to prevent mild cognitive impairment and dementia seems compelling. Disorders of cognition affect 10-15% of the general population over 65.^{1 2} Cerebrovascular disease plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.^{1 2} Aspirin prevents first ever stroke in apparently healthy asymptomatic women,³ and it also prevents first ever and recurrent stroke in high risk populations.⁴ Thus, by preventing cerebral ischaemia, aspirin would be expected to reduce the burden of cognitive loss to individuals and society. Observational studies have shown an association between the use of aspirin and reduced odds of cognitive impairment,^{5 6} but randomised controlled trials have been lacking until recently.

In the linked study (doi: 10.1136/bmj.a1198), Price and colleagues report cognitive outcomes from the aspirin for asymptomatic atherosclerosis (AAA) trial, which randomised 3350 middle aged to elderly volunteers to receive long term enteric coated aspirin 100 mg once . . . [Full text of this article]

¹ McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada L8S 4L8

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• McDermott, M. M., Criqui, M. H. (2009). Aspirin and Secondary Prevention in Peripheral Artery Disease: A Perspective for the Early 21st Century. JAMA 301: 1927-1928 [Full text]  

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