Associations between Use of Specific Analgesics and Concentrations of Amyloid-β 42 or Phospho-Tau in Regions of Human Cerebral Cortex

Margaret E. Flanagan, Eric B. Larson, Rod L. Walker, C. Dirk Keene, Nadia Postupna, Brenna Cholerton, Joshua A. Sonnen, Sascha Dublin, Paul K. Crane, Thomas J. Montine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Analgesics are commonly used by older adults, raising the question of whether their use might contribute to dementia risk and neuropathologic changes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study is a population-based study of brain aging and incident dementia among people 65 years or older who are community dwelling and not demented at entry. Amyloid-β (Aβ)42 and phospho-tau were quantified using Histelide in regions of cerebral cortex from 420 brain autopsies. Total standard daily doses of prescription opioid and non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) exposure during a defined 10-year exposure window were identified using automated pharmacy dispensing data and used to classify people as having no/low, intermediate, or high exposure. People with high NSAID exposure had significantly greater Aβ42 concentration in middle frontal gyrus and superior and middle temporal gyri, but not inferior parietal lobule; no Aβ42 regional concentration was associated with prescription opioid usage. People with high opioid usage had significantly greater concentration of phospho-tau in middle frontal gyrus than people with little-to-no opioid usage. Consistent with our previous studies, findings suggest that high levels of NSAID use in older individuals may promote Aβ42 accumulation in cerebral cortex.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)653-662
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume61
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • amyloid
  • neuropathology
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • opioids

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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