Analysis of acute naproxen administration on memory in young adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• Published in: Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford) 2017-10, Vol.31 (10), p.1374-1376
• Main Authors: Wilson, Jack H, Criss, Amy H, Spangler, Sean A, Walukevich, Katherine, Hewett, Sandra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adults; Amnesia; Anti-inflammatory agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors - adverse effects; Double-Blind Method; Double-blind studies; Female; Health risk assessment; Humans; Inflammation; Learning; Male; Memory - drug effects; Mental task performance; Metabolites; Naproxen; Naproxen - administration & dosage; Naproxen - adverse effects; Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - metabolism; Psychopharmacology; Short term memory; Side effects; Young Adult; Young adults
• ISSN: 0269-8811; 1461-7285
• DOI: 10.1177/0269881117724406

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work by non-selectively inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes. Evidence indicates that metabolites of the cyclooxygenase pathway play a critical role in the process of learning and memory. We evaluated whether acute naproxen treatment impairs short-term working memory, episodic memory, or semantic memory in a young, healthy adult population. Participants received a single dose of placebo or naproxen (750 mg) in random order separated by 7–10 days. Two hours following administration, participants completed five memory tasks. The administration of acute high-dose naproxen had no effect on memory in healthy young adults.