Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - A new study published in the journal Neurology has found that painkillers are useless in terms of preventing the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

In the past it was believed that these drugs, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or NSAIDS, could actually prevent Alzheimer’s.

This was due to the fact that they reduced inflammation, which was seen as a cause of the disease.

A new study though by researchers from the University of Washington, as well as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Seattle has proven otherwise.

Researchers led by Dr. John Beitner focused on these painkillers to see if they could actually help.

The study was kicked off with 2,800 people who did not have dementia at the start of the study.

They then tested out the painkillers ibuprofen and naproxen to see if they would help.

What they found was that the painkillers did the opposite, as they increased the risk of dementia by 66% in those who took the pills.

The only positive that was found was that the drugs were showing the ability tos low the progression of the disease.