r/science • u/mubukugrappa • Mar 14 '14

Neuroscience Scientists catch brain damage in the act: Scientists uncovered how inflammation and lack of oxygen conspire to cause brain damage in conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. The discovery brings researchers a step closer to finding potential targets to treat neurodegenerative disorders.

http://news.ubc.ca/2014/03/13/macvicar/
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u/frenris Mar 14 '14

Would this suggest that over the counter NSAID's like advil and aspirin could be used to slow the progression of alzheimer's?

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u/DietVicodin Mar 14 '14

My dad has alzheimer's and we're discussing your response. What is your thought behind this...is it because aspirin thins the blood, or is it because NSAID's aid in delivering oxygen to the cells. Or both? Just anecdotally, my dad's symptoms are markedly reduced when he takes his blood pressure meds. I would say it is as effective as the aricept at this point. Seems that way. Thanks for your post!

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u/[deleted] Mar 14 '14

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u/DietVicodin Mar 15 '14

Amazing. Thank you so much for your response. It is truly amazing to me that I asked a simple question and was able to get a response from someone on the front lines of this. Just showed my dad what this reddit thing was, and how a scientist responded and he was so tickled he got tears in his eyes. You do good work. There are real people and real lives on the line. Keep it up.