According to a new study, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers more popularly known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may reduce a person's risk of Parkinson's disease.




Parkinson's disease is a motor system disorder, resulting from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells and is characterized by four primary symptoms:

• tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face
• rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk
• bradykinesia, or slowness of movement
• postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination

This particular study revealed that regular users of non-aspirin NSAIDs reduced their risk of Parkinson's disease by as much as 60 percent compared to non-regular users and non-users. On the other hand, women who were regular users of aspirin reduced their risk of Parkinson's disease by 40 percent, especially those who have regularly been on aspirin for more than two years.

According to study author Angelika D. Wahner, PhD, with the UCLA School of Public Health in Los Angeles:

"Given our results and the growing burden of Parkinson's disease as people age, there's a pressing need for further studies explaining why these drugs may play a protective role.

Our findings suggest NSAIDs are protective against Parkinson's disease, with a particularly strong protective effect among regular users of non-aspirin NSAIDs, especially those who reported two or more years of use.

Interestingly, aspirin only benefited women. It may be that men are taking lower doses of aspirin for heart problems, while women may be using higher doses for arthritis or headaches."

Findings of this research were published in the November 6, 2007, issue of Neurology® (the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology).

Find more details from the American Academy of Neurology.