Regular administration of ibuprofen may help people reduce their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Researchers arrived at their findings by following over 136,000 people who did not display any symptoms of Parkinson’s disease at the start of the study. Subjects indicated their use of pain relievers classified as non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. By the end of six years, 293 of the subjects had developed Parkinson’s disease.

According to the analysis, people who regularly consumed ibuprofen had a 40% lower risk of developing the disease when compared to people who did not take it. The reduction in risk was also proportional to the amount of ibuprofen taken, i.e., more of the painkiller correlated with an increased reduction in their risk for developing the disorder. The difference between the groups did not change when factors such as age, smoking, and caffeine consumption were taken into account.

The exact reason why ibuprofen may protect against Parkinson’s disease remains unclear to scientists, and opens the door for further research. The fact that ibuprofen helps to reduce inflammation may be a factor, though this has not been shown scientifically, although there is an increasing body of evidence that points to inflammation as a factor in many health problems, and that addressing this inflammation is in a person’s best interest. Common pain relievers like ibuprofen, available under the commercial names Advil and Motrin, help to relieve some inflammation.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects and impairs motor function and speech. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremors, as well as difficulty in physical movement, and can also lead to cognitive dysfunction and problems with language. The condition is both chronic (persists over long periods of time) and progressive (gets worse with time), though the symptoms as well as their severity can vary from person to person.

In most cases of Parkinson’s disease, the exact cause is difficult to determine. Certain factors, however, are believed to contribute to the disease. These include heredity, environmental toxins, head injury, and the influence of certain drugs.

Currently, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease, but the symptoms can be significantly relieved through the use of medications, some of which address dopamine levels in the cells. Sometimes surgery may be used, especially when a patient does not respond to medication, as well as deep brain stimulation, or DBS.

By some estimates, nearly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease every year, affecting men at a slightly higher rate than women. It is not as prevalent in the Asian and African American communities, though experts believe that people have the same probability of contracting it regardless of race or gender.

If you have questions or concerns about Parkinson’s disease, speak with your physician, or visit the website National Parkinson Foundation. As with any medication, only take ibuprofen under the guidance of your doctor.