Cognitive decline can vary widely, from mild memory lapses to severe dementia, which can significantly disrupt daily life.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but memory and thinking issues can arise from various causes, such as depression, infections, or side effects from medications.
In some cases, these problems can be treated and cognitive function may improve. However, when the issue is related to brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, the decline is often irreversible.
A recent study from the University of California San Diego has uncovered a concerning connection between a class of commonly used drugs and an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment, which is often a precursor to dementia.
These drugs, known as anticholinergic drugs, are prescribed for a wide range of health issues, including high blood pressure, motion sickness, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and Parkinson’s disease.
Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in many functions, including memory and learning.
While these drugs are effective for treating various conditions, the study found that they may have unintended side effects, particularly on brain health.
The research team focused on 688 participants with an average age of 74, all of whom were cognitively normal at the start of the study.
The participants were asked to report if they had been taking any anticholinergic drugs within three months of the study’s start, and if they had been using these drugs at least once a week for more than six months.
The participants underwent cognitive testing once a year for up to 10 years to monitor changes in their thinking and memory skills.
The study found that approximately one-third of the participants were taking anticholinergic drugs, with an average of 4.7 different anticholinergic drugs per person.
Some of the most commonly used drugs included metoprolol (for high blood pressure), atenolol (another blood pressure medication), loratadine (an allergy medication), and bupropion (an antidepressant).
The results were striking. Participants who were taking at least one anticholinergic drug were 47% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment over the next decade compared to those who were not taking these drugs.
This suggests that these medications may play a significant role in the onset of memory and thinking problems.
The risk was even higher for those who had biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in their cerebrospinal fluid.
These individuals were four times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment if they were taking anticholinergic drugs compared to those without the biomarkers and not taking the drugs.
Additionally, people with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s who were taking anticholinergic drugs were about 2.5 times more likely to experience cognitive decline than those without the genetic risk factors and not on the drugs.
These findings point to a crucial takeaway: reducing the use of anticholinergic drugs may be a key strategy in preventing cognitive decline, especially for individuals who are at an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
If you are concerned about your brain health or are taking anticholinergic medications, it might be worth discussing alternatives with your healthcare provider.
Maintaining brain health is essential, and there are many other ways to protect your cognitive abilities. Research has shown that regular exercise may help reverse cognitive decline, and certain antioxidants could reduce the risk of dementia.
Additionally, some studies suggest that specific fruits may help slow down brain aging and cognitive decline.
The study, led by Lisa Delano-Wood and her team, was published in the journal Neurology. As research continues, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the medications we take for one health issue can sometimes have unintended consequences on other aspects of our health, particularly our cognitive function.
By staying informed and making thoughtful choices, we can better protect our brains as we age.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about low choline intake linked to higher dementia risk, and how eating nuts can affect your cognitive ability.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
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