Two popular pain relievers failed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people with mild to moderate mental decline, a study found, dashing hopes that widely used anti-inflammatory drugs might be a useful treatment. After a year on the prescription drug Vioxx or over-the-counter Aleve, known generically as naproxen, patients were no better off than those taking dummy pills.

Researchers believe inflammation contributes to the neurological damage found in Alzheimer's.