Re: Ibuprofen v Parkinson's

[Charles Williams <Charles.Williams1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have heard this theory too, in UK. In fact I took part in research on
scans that is based on the idea that MSA and PD are associated with
inflammation, which may contribute to progression. Documentation mentioned
the possibility of anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin being used for
treatment.

-----Original Message-----
From: William P. Taggart <billt@xxxxxxxx>
To: PARKINSN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <PARKINSN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: 08 October 2000 11:36
Subject: Ibuprofen v Parkinson's


Ibuprofen may reduce the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's     <<...>>


Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
have been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the
underlying mechanisms of action are unknown. However, Casper and colleagues
have recently found that NSAIDs protect neurones from glutamate toxicity in
vitro - glutamate toxicity has been implicated in AD, Parkinson's disease
(PD), and other diseases.
Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen were all found to attenuate the
reduction in dopamine uptake caused by glutamate on cultured primary rat
embryonic neurones taken from the mesencephalon area of the brain,
indicating preservation of neuronal integrity. Furthermore, ibuprofen 100µm
protected both dopaminergic neurones and neurones generally, against
glutamate toxicity. In addition, of the drugs tested, only ibuprofen
increased the relative number of dopaminergic neurons - by 47%.
The authors concluded that NSAIDs deserve further consideration as
neuroprotective agents in PD.
Source: Casper D et al. Neuroscience Letters 2000;289(3):201-204. Updated
September 2000.