# Monash University aspirin and dementia risk study

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/monash-university-aspirin-and-dementia-risk-study
> Updated: 2026-10-25T13:55:27.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Researchers from Monash University conducted a large-scale genetic analysis of over 13,500 participants from the ASPREE clinical trial to investigate the relationship between low-dose aspirin and dementia risk. 

The study, published in the journal ‘Alzheimer’s & Dementia’, found that individuals in the top 20 percent of genetic scores related to platelet counts experienced a significantly lower relative risk of developing dementia—approximately 70 to 72 percent—when taking 100 milligrams of aspirin daily compared to a placebo. In this specific genetic group, the dementia rate was 1 percent for aspirin users versus 3.3 percent for the placebo group.

However, the research highlighted a critical safety trade-off. In the same high-platelet-count group, the risk of major bleeding was substantially higher, with 4.4 percent of aspirin users experiencing serious hemorrhages compared to 2.1 percent in the placebo group. Researchers noted that no similar dementia prevention benefits were observed in other genetic groups and cautioned against using aspirin for prevention without medical advice.

Experts and authors emphasize that these findings do not currently support a recommendation for using aspirin to prevent dementia. The researchers noted that the genetic test used is not currently available to patients and called for further clinical trials and studies across diverse ethnic populations to validate the results.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: Monash University study links low-dose aspirin to lower dementia risk in specific genetic groups

A Monash University study suggests low-dose aspirin may reduce dementia risk by 70% in older adults with specific genetic profiles, though it also doubles the risk of major bleeding in that group.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/monash-university-study-links-low-dose-aspirin-to-lower-dementia-risk-in-specific-genetic-groups

### 2026-10-02: Monash University study links aspirin to lower dementia risk in specific genetic groups

A Monash University study suggests low-dose aspirin may reduce dementia risk by 70 percent in individuals with specific genetic platelet profiles, though it increases the risk of serious bleeding.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/monash-university-study-links-aspirin-to-lower-dementia-risk-in-specific-genetic-groups

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Cite as: Monash University aspirin and dementia risk study. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/monash-university-aspirin-and-dementia-risk-study