Nov. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from a young age might prevent early signs of Alzheimer's disease, according to the results of a new study in mice.

Recent research suggests that the appearance of neuronal cell cycle events (CCEs) occurs early in the development of Alzheimer's. In the new study, U.S. researchers looking for triggers of neuronal CCEs found evidence that suggests that neuroinflammation plays a role in the development of Alzheimer's in mice.

Administration of the inflammatory molecule LPS triggered the early appearance of neuronal CCEs, the researchers found, and treatment with the NSAIDs ibuprofen or naproxen blocked the development of CCEs.

In older mice, treatment with NSAIDs prevented new neuronal CCEs but did not affect existing CCEs, the study authors noted.

The study, published online Nov. 9 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, offers a potential explanation for findings in humans that long-term NSAID use protects against Alzheimer's but does not benefit people who already have mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Investigation, news release, Nov. 9, 2009