They hold the key to slowing Parkinson’s.
A recent study suggests that widely used medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, statins, and beta blockers may help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. According to researchers, patients who took these drugs for conditions like pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol saw Parkinson’s symptoms appear up to a decade later compared to those not using these medications. The findings were published in the Journal of Neurology.
Dr. Michele Tagliati, the senior researcher and director of the Division of Movement Disorders at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, explained that these medications might share common characteristics, such as their ability to reduce inflammation, which could contribute to the delay in the onset of Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
The study analyzed medical records of over 1,200 Parkinson’s patients at Cedars-Sinai between 2010 and 2021, reviewing the medications they were taking regularly. Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, occurs when brain cells responsible for producing dopamine are damaged or destroyed.
The researchers found that patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin, experienced a delay of 8.2 years in developing Parkinson’s symptoms. Those on statins to manage cholesterol saw a delay of 9.3 years, while patients using beta blockers for high blood pressure had symptoms delayed by 9.6 years. Medications for diabetes, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics also appeared to delay symptom onset, although to a lesser extent.
In contrast, smokers and those with a family history of Parkinson’s typically showed symptoms earlier, with smokers developing symptoms nearly five years sooner than non-smokers. Dr. Tagliati emphasized that while further studies are necessary, this research suggests that these medications might help manage cellular stress and brain inflammation, which could play a significant role in postponing the development of Parkinson’s disease.
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