New research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease suggests that the use of sleep medications is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia in white individuals.
The study, part of the Health, Aging and Body Composition study, followed approximately 3,000 older adults over an average of nine years.
Key Findings
White participants who frequently used sleep medications had a 79% higher chance of developing dementia compared to those who rarely or never used such medications.
Black participants did not show a similar increase in dementia risk, even among those who frequently used sleep aids.
People who are white were three times more likely than those who are Black to frequently use sleep medications.
The Role of Socioeconomic Status
First author Yue Leng, Ph.D., noted that socioeconomic factors might be influencing these results.
Black participants who had access to sleep medications might belong to a higher socioeconomic group, with a “greater cognitive reserve,” making them less susceptible to dementia.
Racial Disparities in Medication Use
The study also revealed racial disparities in the types of sleep medications used:
- White individuals were almost twice as likely to use benzodiazepines, such as Halcion, Dalmane, and Restoril.
- White individuals were 10 times more likely to use trazodone, an antidepressant also used as a sleep aid.
- They were also seven times more likely to use “Z-drugs” like Ambien.
Caution Advised in Using Sleep Medications
Yue Leng suggests that patients with sleep issues should first identify the root cause of their sleep problems, possibly requiring a sleep test for conditions like sleep apnea.
For those diagnosed with insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) is the recommended first-line treatment.
If medications are considered, melatonin may be a safer option, although its long-term impacts need further investigation.
Implications and Future Research
This study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating potential risks associated with sleep medications.
It also points to the need for a nuanced understanding of how these risks may vary across different racial and socioeconomic groups.
Future studies may clarify the roles that different types of sleep medications play in cognitive health, as well as how race and socioeconomic status influence these relationships.
In the meantime, patients are advised to exercise caution when considering sleep medications and to explore alternative treatments where possible.
If you care about sleep quality, please read studies about how to sleep to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and this herb could help you sleep well at night.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about high blood pressure drug that could treat dementia, and results showing this diet could protect against memory loss and dementia.
The study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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