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Published on: January 24, 2020
Low dose aspirin and cognitive function in middle aged to elderly adults: randomised controlled trial
Jackie F Price1, Marlene C Stewart, Ian J Deary
1Division of Community Health Sciences and Centre for Public Health and Primary Care Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh. Jackie.Price@ed.ac.uk
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|September 3, 2008
Summary
Low dose aspirin did not impact cognitive function in older adults with increased cardiovascular risk. This five-year study found no significant differences in memory or executive function between aspirin and placebo groups.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease risk is prevalent in aging populations.
- Cognitive decline is a significant concern in older adults.
- The potential impact of common medications on cognition requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of low-dose aspirin on cognitive function.
- To assess cognitive performance in middle-aged to elderly individuals at increased cardiovascular risk.
- To determine if daily low-dose aspirin influences memory, executive function, or processing speed.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.
- 3350 participants aged over 50 with increased cardiovascular risk were enrolled.
- Cognitive function was assessed over five years using standardized tests.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in cognitive scores between the aspirin and placebo groups.
- Low-dose aspirin (100 mg daily) did not alter general cognitive ability over five years.
- Individual cognitive test scores, including memory and executive function, remained comparable.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose aspirin does not appear to affect cognitive function in the studied population.
- This finding suggests aspirin's primary benefits are cardiovascular, not cognitive, in this demographic.
- Further research may explore other interventions for cognitive health in at-risk individuals.
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