Monash University study links aspirin to lower dementia risk in specific genetic groups

A large-scale genetic analysis involving over 13,500 older adults from the ASPREE study suggests that low-dose aspirin may be associated with a 70 percent reduction in dementia risk for individuals with a specific genetic profile.

Researchers from Monash University categorized participants based on genetic scores related to platelet counts. In the group with the highest platelet counts (the top 20 percent), only 1 percent of those taking aspirin developed dementia, compared to 3.3 percent in the placebo group. Lead researcher Peter Fransquet noted that this effect does not appear to be linked to known genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s, suggesting that platelet biology may offer a new avenue for dementia research.

Despite these findings, researchers caution against starting aspirin for dementia prevention without medical advice. The study noted that serious bleeding events were approximately twice as frequent among those taking aspirin. The results were published in the journal ‘Alzheimer’s & Dementia’ and highlight the complexity of using common medications for preventative neurological health.