Genetic analysis reveals potential benefit of aspirin for reducing dementia risk
· Medical Xpressedited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin
Sadie Harley
Scientific Editor
Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process
Andrew Zinin
Chief Editor
Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
fact-checked
peer-reviewed publication
trusted source
proofread
The GIST Add as preferred source
Low-dose aspirin was associated with a 70% lower risk of dementia among older people with a particular genetic profile, a new Monash University analysis has found, raising the possibility of a more personalized approach to dementia prevention.
The research, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, analyzed genetic data from the landmark ASPREE Trial (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly), screening genetic scores in more than 13,500 individuals to investigate whether a person's genes influenced aspirin's effect on dementia risk.
The strongest finding was linked to genes that influence platelet count. Researchers ranked participants according to their platelet-related genetic scores.
Among participants with scores in the highest 20%, only 1% of those taking aspirin developed dementia, compared with 3.3% of those receiving a placebo. This represents a roughly 70% lower relative risk associated with aspirin use.
However, aspirin also increased the risk of serious bleeding in this group. Major bleeding occurred in 4.4% of those taking aspirin, compared with 2.1% receiving a placebo.
Lead author Dr. Peter Fransquet, a research fellow at Monash's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said the findings could open the door to a more personalized approach to dementia prevention.
"Previous trials found aspirin didn't prevent dementia when everyone was considered together," Fransquet said. "Our findings suggest there may be more to the story. In people with this particular genetic profile, we saw substantially fewer cases of dementia among those taking aspirin. It raises the possibility that genetics could one day help us identify who may benefit from a preventive treatment, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach."
Dementia Australia estimates 446,500 Australians are living with dementia in 2026. It projects this will rise to more than 1 million by 2065.
While scientists have previously identified a link between platelet activation and aggregation and dementia, the role of a person's overall platelet count has been less clear.
"What's particularly interesting is that the signal wasn't linked to the established genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and dementia," Fransquet said. "Instead, it's pointing us towards platelet biology and gives us a new avenue to investigate. We now need to confirm the finding in other studies and ultimately test it in a trial designed specifically for people with this genetic profile."
"People shouldn't start taking aspirin to prevent dementia on the basis of this study without consulting with their doctor, particularly given the increased risk of serious bleeding. If it holds up, the fact that aspirin is already cheap and widely available could make personalized dementia prevention a real possibility."
Publication details
Peter D. Fransquet et al, Platelet count polygenic scores may modify the effect of aspirin in primary prevention of dementia, Alzheimer's & Dementia (2026). DOI: 10.1002/alz.71817
Journal information: Alzheimer's & Dementia
Key medical concepts
Clinical categories
NeurologyPreventive medicineHealthy agingCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by Monash University Who's behind this story?
Sadie Harley
BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →
Andrew Zinin
Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →
Citation: Genetic analysis reveals potential benefit of aspirin for reducing dementia risk (2026, September 29) retrieved 29 September 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-genetic-analysis-reveals-potential-benefit.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.