A new study from the University of California, San Diego, has found that some widely used medications might raise the risk of memory problems, especially in older adults.
The study focused on a group of drugs called anticholinergic drugs, which are often used to treat many common health issues.
Anticholinergic drugs are used for high blood pressure, colds, allergies, bladder issues, Parkinson’s disease, and more. There are about 100 different kinds, some available over the counter and others only by prescription.
These drugs work by blocking a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine, which helps send signals between nerve cells. While this can help relieve symptoms, it may also affect memory and thinking.
The study followed 688 people with an average age of 74. At the start, none of them had memory or thinking problems. Researchers asked participants to report if they took any anticholinergic drugs at least once a week for six months or more. Over the next 10 years, the participants took yearly tests to check their memory and thinking skills.
About one-third of the group regularly used anticholinergic drugs, taking around five different medications on average. Some of the most commonly used drugs were Metoprolol, Atenolol, Loratadine, and Bupropion.
The results showed that people who took at least one anticholinergic drug had a 47% higher chance of developing memory problems than those who didn’t take these medications. Memory problems can be early warning signs of serious conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
The risk was even greater for people who already had signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their body or a genetic tendency toward the disease. For these individuals, taking anticholinergic drugs increased their chances of memory loss even more.
Those with Alzheimer’s-related brain changes were four times more likely to have memory issues, while those with Alzheimer’s-related genes were 2.5 times more likely.
This research is important because it shows that cutting back on anticholinergic drugs might help protect memory, especially for people at higher risk of Alzheimer’s. Making changes before memory problems begin could prevent or delay more serious issues later on.
For people with high blood pressure or other health conditions, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor about safer medication options. Diet and lifestyle choices, like eating beets to lower blood pressure, may also help. Some studies have also found that not all blood pressure medications are equal—some may even make symptoms worse.
The study was led by Lisa Delano-Wood and her team and published in the journal Neurology. It reminds us that while medications can help with symptoms, they may also carry long-term risks. Being cautious with certain drugs could help people stay mentally sharp as they age.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
For more health information, please see recent studies about heartburn drugs that could increase risk of dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
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