Memory problems are something many people worry about as they age. While some forgetfulness is normal, more serious changes in memory and thinking — known as cognitive decline — can deeply affect daily life.
In some cases, this decline may lead to dementia, a condition that includes diseases like Alzheimer’s. But not all memory issues are caused by dementia. Sometimes, they can be linked to other health problems like depression, infections, or even side effects from medication.
A recent study from the University of California San Diego has found that a group of widely used drugs may increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment — an early stage of memory loss that often comes before dementia.
These medications are called anticholinergic drugs, and they’re used to treat a variety of common conditions. People take them for things like high blood pressure, motion sickness, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. The drugs work by blocking a brain chemical called acetylcholine, which helps with memory and learning.
While anticholinergic drugs can be helpful for managing physical health issues, this new research shows that they may also affect brain health in older adults.
In the study, 688 people with an average age of 74 were followed for up to 10 years. All of them had normal memory and thinking skills when the study began. They were asked about their medication use, specifically whether they had taken anticholinergic drugs at least once a week for more than six months.
About one-third of the participants were taking these drugs, and many were taking several kinds at the same time — an average of 4.7 different anticholinergic drugs per person. Some of the most common ones included metoprolol and atenolol (for blood pressure), loratadine (for allergies), and bupropion (an antidepressant).
Over the course of the study, the researchers found that people who were taking at least one anticholinergic drug were 47% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared to those who were not taking the drugs.
The risk was even greater for certain groups:
- People who had signs of Alzheimer’s in their spinal fluid were four times more likely to develop cognitive problems if they were also taking these medications.
- People with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s were 2.5 times more likely to develop memory issues if they were using anticholinergic drugs.
These findings suggest that these drugs may speed up cognitive decline, especially in people already at risk for dementia. This doesn’t mean everyone should immediately stop taking their medication, but it does mean that people — especially older adults — should talk with their doctors about the risks and possible alternatives.
Fortunately, there are other ways to help protect brain health. Studies show that regular exercise can help slow or even reverse cognitive decline. Healthy eating, especially foods rich in antioxidants, may also protect brain cells. Some research suggests that certain fruits and nutrients may help keep the brain sharp as we age.
The study, led by Lisa Delano-Wood and published in the journal Neurology, is an important reminder that medications meant to treat one problem can sometimes affect other parts of our health. In this case, drugs taken for common physical conditions may be quietly affecting memory and thinking skills.
As we grow older, staying informed and checking in regularly with a healthcare provider can help us make the best choices — not just for our bodies, but for our brains too.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that eating apples and tea could keep dementia at bay, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
For more health information, please see recent studies what you eat together may affect your dementia risk, and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
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