Cognitive function . . . and other stories
BMJ 2020; 370 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3190 (Published 18 August 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;370:m3190
Aspirin doesn’t prevent cognitive decline
Low dose aspirin irreversibly blocks the formation of thromboxane A2 in platelets and inhibits their aggregation. Daily doses are of proven benefit in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, but a large trial finds no evidence that they reduce the incidence of dementia or cognitive decline (Neurology doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000009277). Out of 20 000 older people randomised to either 100 mg aspirin each day or placebo, around 600 developed dementia over five years of follow up. However, there were no differences in risk of any type of dementia between the two treatment groups.
Alcohol and cognitive function in older people
Aspirin may not prevent cognitive decline, but another large longitudinal study suggests that modest alcohol consumption may have a beneficial effect. The Health and Retirement Study followed 20 000 middle-aged and older people for nine years (JAMA Netw Open doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.7922). When compared with those who never drank …
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