A recent study from the University of California, San Diego, has found a troubling link between certain commonly used medications and an increased risk of memory and thinking problems.
These medications, called anticholinergic drugs, are often prescribed to treat a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, allergies, colds, depression, and motion sickness.
Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. This chemical plays a crucial role in many body functions, like controlling muscles, regulating heart rate, and, most importantly, supporting memory and learning in the brain.
While these medications are effective for treating many health issues, this new research suggests they may come with hidden risks, particularly for older adults and people already at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study followed 688 people with an average age of 74 for up to 10 years. At the start, none of them had noticeable memory or thinking problems.
Researchers asked participants about their use of anticholinergic drugs—whether they had taken them weekly for more than six months within the last three months. Then, the participants took annual tests to check their cognitive abilities.
The results were surprising. About one-third of the participants were taking anticholinergic medications, using an average of 4.7 different types. Common drugs included metoprolol and atenolol (for high blood pressure), loratadine (for allergies), and bupropion (for depression).
People who were taking at least one of these drugs had a 47% higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over the next decade.
MCI is a condition where memory and thinking abilities decline but not enough to interfere with daily life. It’s often seen as an early warning sign of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The risks were even higher for specific groups. For instance, participants who had biological markers for Alzheimer’s disease—changes in their spinal fluid that suggest the disease is developing—were four times more likely to develop MCI if they were taking anticholinergic drugs.
Similarly, people with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s who used these medications were 2.5 times more likely to experience cognitive decline than those without these risk factors.
These findings suggest that anticholinergic drugs might speed up memory problems, particularly in people who are already vulnerable.
This raises concerns because these medications are widely used, and their long-term effects on brain health are not always considered.
The researchers believe one way to reduce this risk is to limit the use of anticholinergic drugs, especially for older adults or people at risk of Alzheimer’s.
This might involve exploring alternative treatments for conditions like high blood pressure, depression, or allergies that don’t rely on these medications.
This study also highlights a broader issue: medications meant to help with one health problem can sometimes cause unintended harm. For example, while blood pressure drugs are crucial for managing hypertension, some may impact brain health if not chosen carefully.
If you or someone you know is taking anticholinergic medications, it may be worth talking to a doctor to see if there are better options, especially if cognitive health is a concern. Adjusting treatment plans could help reduce the risk of memory and thinking problems.
This research is part of a growing effort to understand how medications affect brain health over time. More studies are needed to fully explore the connection between anticholinergic drugs and cognitive decline.
Until then, being informed about medication risks and benefits can help individuals make better decisions about their health.
The study, led by Lisa Delano-Wood, was published in the journal Neurology. It’s a reminder that even everyday medications should be used thoughtfully, especially as we age.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about inflammation that may actually slow down cognitive decline in older people, and low vitamin D may speed up cognitive decline.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about common exercises that could protect against cognitive decline, and results showing that this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
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