A new study suggests low-dose aspirin might slash dementia risk by 70% for older adults with specific genetic traits, but it comes with a significant safety warning.
Researchers from Monash University analyzed data from over 13,500 participants in the ASPREE Trial, focusing on how genetic variations might influence aspirin's effect on dementia. Their findings, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, zeroed in on genes linked to platelet count, a key factor in blood clotting.
The study revealed that among individuals with the highest genetic predisposition for platelet count, only 1% of those taking aspirin developed dementia, compared to 3.3% in the placebo group. This represents a remarkable 70% lower relative risk. However, this benefit was shadowed by a heightened risk of major bleeding, affecting 4.4% of aspirin users versus 2.1% in the placebo group within the same genetic category.
Lead author Dr. Peter Fransquet highlighted the potential shift towards personalized dementia prevention. "Previous trials found aspirin didn't prevent dementia when everyone was considered together," he stated. "Our findings suggest there may be more to the story. In people with this particular genetic profile, we saw substantially fewer cases of dementia among those taking aspirin."
What's particularly intriguing is that this genetic link wasn't tied to known Alzheimer's risk factors, but rather points towards the role of platelet biology. While these results offer a promising new avenue for dementia prevention, researchers stress the need for further confirmation. They emphasize that individuals should not start taking aspirin for dementia prevention without consulting a doctor due to the increased bleeding risk.
