- In 1992, subjects provided information on four types of commonly
used analgesics. In 2001, they provided information on the
occurrence of Parkinson's disease. The researchers detected 413
cases of Parkinson's disease during follow up.
"We found that individuals who regularly used ibuprofen had about a
35 percent lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease than non-
users," Dr. Alberto Ascherio, of Harvard School of Public Health in
Boston, Massachusetts, told.

Specifically, compared to those who did not use NSAIDs, users of 2
to 7 ibuprofen tablets per week had about a 28 percent reduced
relative risk of developing Parkinson's disease, while those who
reported using 1 or more tablets per day had a 38 percent reduced
risk of Parkinson's.

No associations were observed between the risk of PD and the use of
aspirin, other NSAIDs, or acetaminophen.

"These findings suggest that ibuprofen could contribute to the
prevention of Parkinson's disease," Ascherio said. "Because of the
progressive nature of the degenerative process, it is also possible
that this drug could be beneficial for individuals with Parkinson's,
but this should be tested in randomized clinical trials."

"It would be premature for people with Parkinson's disease to start
taking ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs," Ascherio
cautioned. "Albeit promising, these findings are insufficient to
support a change in current therapeutical practice."



9/7/07(SpiritIndia.com)