Medical news: a popular painkiller can not only relieve pain, but also improve brain function (3 photos)
A study has found that a common painkiller can improve memory and mental performance. Ibuprofen, taken to relieve headaches, toothaches, muscle pain and cold symptoms, also improves reaction time. Paracetamol, another popular drug, has the opposite effect. 
A University College London study of the cognitive effects of popular drugs on half a million UK citizens has found that the most effective drugs are those used to treat pain, inflammation, osteoarthritis, heart disease, asthma, allergies and high blood pressure.
The over-the-counter painkiller paracetamol and the prescription antidepressant fluoxetine were the ones that caused the most damage to memory and problem-solving.
The researchers say that clinical trials of all new drugs should consider potential effects on the brain so that doctors can choose the most appropriate drugs for their patients.
Neurologist Martin Rossor, senior author of the study, said: "Cognitive side effects can have a significant impact on health. These drugs are widely used and many have adverse cognitive effects. New drugs need to be tested for their effects on the brain." 
The study, funded by The Health Foundation, used medical records from about 540,000 men and women up to age 73. It included information about the medications they were taking and how they performed on tests of reaction time, memory, and reasoning. The results, published in the journal Brain and Behaviour, showed that people taking one of 10 common drugs performed better than those who did not take the drugs. 
Other painkillers that showed a positive effect included aspirin, codeine, and diclofenac. Omega-3 triglycerides, used to treat heart disease, glucosamine for osteoarthritis, atorvastatin for lowering cholesterol, omeprazole for heartburn, the indigestion drug lansoprazole, and multivitamins were also helpful.
The biggest negative effect was seen with amitriptyline, a drug used to treat migraines.
