Health: Parkinson’s Disease And Pain Relievers

The quaking, shaking symptoms of Parkinson’s disease afflict 1 1/2 million Americans. It can be slowed but not cured, which makes prevention all the more appealing. A new study, released in the Archives of Neurology, suggests that regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen offers some protection. About 44,000 men and 99,000 women were followed for 14 and 18 years, respectively. Researchers found that the risk of developing Parkinson’s was 45% lower among men and women who regularly used nonaspirin NSAIDs than among nonusers. Also last week a Parkinson’s patient was treated with an experimental gene therapy. Results probably won’t be known for months.