Aspirin Cut Dementia Risk by 70% in People With a Specific Genetic Profile

A Monash University analysis of over 13,500 ASPREE trial participants found that older adults with a high platelet-count polygenic score had about a 70% lower relative dementia risk on low-dose aspirin (1% vs 3.3% on placebo), but major bleeding was more common (4.4% vs 2.1%). Researchers say the finding needs confirmation in a dedicated trial.

• In the top 20% by genetic score, dementia occurred in 1% on aspirin vs 3.3% on placebo
• Absolute difference was 2.3 percentage points, about 23 fewer dementia cases per 1,000 people
• Major bleeding: 4.4% on aspirin vs 2.1% on placebo in the same group
• The signal points to platelet biology, not established Alzheimer's genetic risk factors