<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Usually used for aches and pains, a new study has found the prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories could also reduce the risk of dementia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Most people have non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in their medicine cupboards, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and Voltaren.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society spanning 30 years has found the drugs could also help protect our brains.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/plane-crashes-near-retirement-community-in-us/fa9c6d83-0553-403b-896a-82af97258548" target="_blank"><strong><span>Plane with five aboard crashes near retirement community</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The study involved more than 11,000 people aged 55 years and older and found those who used anti-inflammatories long-term for more than two years had an 18 per cent lower risk of dementia than those who didn't take anything.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's a lot we're learning about dementia and the different causes of dementia being associated with higher inflammation in the brain and blood, so we're looking at using anti-inflammatories as a potential to treat or reduce dementia," geriatrician Paul Yates from the University of Melbourne Austin Health said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/newspoll-shows-labor-or-coalition-majority-government-unlikely/a3cf2f2d-1ef4-4020-b8d3-5a9acdf31435" target="_blank"><strong><span>Albanese leads Dutton as preferred leader as chance of minority government increases: poll</span></strong></a></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/dementia-research-anti-inflammatories/0de79378-287c-4866-91fd-0e54173fa875" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The short-term use of anti-inflammatories – for less than two years – saw a slightly increased risk of dementia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>One explanation could be their inflammation wasn't as controlled as long-term users.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The study also found having higher doses of the drug wasn't beneficial – it was the prolonged use that helped.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the study is significant, experts say you shouldn't rush out and start taking anti-inflammatories.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If you're worried about your dementia risk, speak to your GP.</span></div></div>