When people take medicine for common health problems like allergies or high blood pressure, they usually expect to feel better.
But a new study from the University of California, San Diego, shows that some medications might hurt memory instead.
The study looked at a group of drugs called anticholinergic drugs. These are used to treat many conditions, including high blood pressure, allergies, Parkinson’s disease, and bladder problems. There are about 100 types of these drugs, and they include both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
The research involved 688 people, all about 74 years old, who had no signs of memory problems at the beginning. These people had been taking anticholinergic drugs regularly—at least once a week for more than six months. The researchers followed them for up to 10 years, checking their thinking and memory skills every year.
About one-third of the group was taking anticholinergic drugs, with an average of five different kinds. Some of the common ones included Metoprolol, Atenolol, Loratadine, and Bupropion.
The results were concerning. People who took at least one anticholinergic drug had a 47% higher chance of developing memory problems compared to those who didn’t take these drugs. Memory problems are often an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
For people who were already showing early signs of Alzheimer’s, taking these drugs made things worse—they were four times more likely to develop memory loss. Even people who had a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s had a 2.5 times higher chance of memory problems if they took these medications.
These findings suggest that older adults should be careful about using anticholinergic drugs, especially if they are at risk of Alzheimer’s or are trying to protect their memory. It also shows how important it is to pay attention to any health changes that might be early warning signs.
The study also reminds us that managing health problems like high blood pressure should be done with care. For some people, natural options like healthy eating or drinking beetroot juice may help before starting medication.
This research, led by Lisa Delano-Wood, adds important knowledge about the side effects of common drugs and reminds us that treating one health problem should not come at the cost of another.
The study was published in the journal Neurology and offers valuable advice for anyone wanting to protect their brain health.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and extra-virgin olive oil could boost brain function.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and strawberries could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
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