A study from the University of California, San Diego, has uncovered a worrying link between widely used anticholinergic drugs and an increased risk of cognitive decline.
These drugs, commonly prescribed for conditions like high blood pressure, allergies, colds, and depression, might be more harmful than previously understood, especially for individuals at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study involved 688 participants, averaging 74 years, who initially had no cognitive impairments. They reported their use of anticholinergic drugs over a span of up to 10 years.
About one-third of the participants were using these drugs, with each person taking an average of nearly five such medications.
Increased Risk of Cognitive Impairment
The findings were startling. Those taking one or more anticholinergic drugs were 47% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared to those who didn’t use these drugs.
The risk was even more pronounced in individuals with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s or markers of the disease.
For instance, people with Alzheimer’s biomarkers in their cerebrospinal fluid and using these drugs were four times more likely to develop cognitive impairment.
Genes and Medication: A Dangerous Combo
The study also highlighted that individuals with genetic predispositions to Alzheimer’s, who were taking anticholinergic drugs, had about a 2.5 times higher chance of developing mild cognitive impairment compared to those without these genetic factors and not on these medications.
These findings suggest that the use of anticholinergic drugs, particularly among those with an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s, should be approached with caution.
Reducing the consumption of these drugs before the onset of cognitive issues could be a crucial step in preventing their negative impact on mental functions.
This research underscores the importance of carefully considering the long-term use of anticholinergic drugs, especially for older adults or those with Alzheimer’s risk factors.
It opens up avenues for further research and potentially revising prescription practices to safeguard cognitive health.
Conclusion
The University of California’s study provides vital insights into the potential cognitive risks associated with common medications.
It highlights the need for heightened awareness and possibly reevaluating the use of anticholinergic drugs to prevent cognitive decline, particularly in vulnerable groups.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Scientists find a drug related to Viagra may help treat vascular dementia and findings of link between body inflammation and dementia risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about diet that may help prevent Alzheimer’s, and results showing some dementia cases could be prevented by changing these 12 things.
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