Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen -- usually sold as Advil and Aleve -- may protect people from Alzheimer's disease, researchers reported.

The finding was based on a study in mice.

The drugs, which are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, would need to be taken starting at an early age, according to a team at the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway and the Cleveland Clinic.

A news release on the work says that the scientists were looking into something called neuronal cell cycle events, which are an early molecular event that leads to Alzheimer's disease.

The mice were given a molecule that can trigger the neuronal CCEs. When they were treated with NSAIDs, no new CCEs formed, though old ones stayed.

The researchers said that the results are supported by other studies that have indicated that people who took painkillers long term were less likely to get Alzheimer's disease, though it did not seem to have an effect on those who already have mild to moderate symptoms.

The news release did not address any increased risks that people or mice could face from long-term NSAID use.