Many of the Swedish women in the study had heart disease and took aspirin daily. Over a five year period, patients taking aspirin daily showed signs of mental decline at much slower rates than patients who did not.
The findings of this study come as no surprise to many doctors, such as Dr. Richard Isaacson who already prescribes a low dosage daily aspirin regimen to his patients at risk of Alzeihmer's disease.
"What is good for the heart is also usually good for the brain," said Dr. Isaacson, director of the Alzheimer's division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
"I have recommended 81 milligrams of baby aspirin for my patients with any vascular risk factors who are either at risk for developing cognitive decline or who currently have mild cognitive impairment or mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease."
Although long term risks of taking aspirin daily are no known, Dr. Isaacson feels the benefits outweigh the risks.
Aspirin may indeed slow age related mental decline, but senior citizens are encouraged to talk with their doctor before "self medicating" to prevent age related mental decline as with aspirin there is always a small change of gastrointestinal bleeding.
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