A new study from the University of California, San Diego has found that some common medications might cause memory problems, especially in older people or those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
These drugs are called anticholinergic drugs, and they are used to treat many conditions such as high blood pressure, allergies, colds, depression, and even motion sickness.
Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. This chemical is very important for muscle movement, heart function, memory, and learning. By blocking it, these drugs can reduce symptoms of certain illnesses—but they might also cause harm to the brain over time.
In the study, 688 people with an average age of 74 were followed for up to 10 years. At the beginning, none of them had problems with memory or thinking. The participants were asked if they had taken any anticholinergic drugs regularly during the past three months. The researchers then tested their memory and thinking skills each year.
About one-third of the people in the study were taking at least one anticholinergic drug. On average, they were taking almost five different types. Some of the most common ones included medications for high blood pressure like metoprolol and atenolol, allergy medicine like loratadine, and depression drugs like bupropion.
The results were concerning. People who took at least one anticholinergic drug had a 47% higher chance of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over the next decade. MCI is a condition where memory and thinking start to decline, and it is often the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
The risk was even greater for people who already had signs of Alzheimer’s in their body. These individuals were four times more likely to develop memory problems if they also took anticholinergic drugs.
People with a family history of Alzheimer’s or certain genes related to the disease were 2.5 times more likely to have memory decline if they used these medications.
This means that anticholinergic drugs could speed up memory loss in people who are already at risk. That is very worrying because these drugs are common and are often taken without thinking about the long-term effects on the brain.
The researchers suggest that people—especially older adults—should try to use fewer of these medications when possible. There might be other drugs or therapies that work just as well without the same risks to brain health.
This study also reminds us that drugs used to treat one problem can sometimes create new problems. For example, some blood pressure medications can also affect memory, depending on the type.
Because of this, doctors and patients need to carefully think about the benefits and side effects of any medication. If you or someone you know takes anticholinergic drugs, it might be helpful to talk to a healthcare provider about safer options, especially if there are concerns about memory or risk of dementia.
More research is still needed to understand all the long-term effects of these drugs on the brain. But for now, being informed and asking questions about your medications could help protect your brain health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
This study was led by Lisa Delano-Wood and published in the journal Neurology.
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