ASPIRIN - A NEUROPROTECTIVE AGENT AT HIGH-DOSES

Aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, is routinely used in clinics as an anal gesic, antipyretic and in the secondary prevention of stroke. These ef fects are caused by low doses of the drug (0.3-3.6 g/day) through the inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase, the enzyme responsible for prostaglandi n synthesis. Higher doses of aspirin (4-6 g/day) are used. in the trea tment of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and rece nt laboratory findings suggest that it could play a role in neuroprote ction against glutamate excitotoxicity. This article reviews the possi ble mechanisms of action of high-dose aspirin in neuroprotection.