A study from the University of California, San Diego, has raised serious concerns about a group of medications known as anticholinergic drugs.
These drugs are commonly prescribed for everyday health problems such as high blood pressure, depression, allergies, asthma, motion sickness, and even some cold symptoms.
While they are widely used and often taken for long periods, new evidence suggests they may quietly increase the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline, especially in older adults.
Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. This chemical helps with memory, learning, attention, and other important brain functions. When the brain does not have enough acetylcholine, it becomes harder to think clearly, concentrate, or remember things.
Doctors have known this for years, but many believed that the effects were temporary or mild. However, the new findings suggest the long-term impact may be much more serious than once thought.
The study followed 688 older adults, with an average age of 74, for up to 10 years. All of them began the study with normal thinking abilities and no signs of memory problems.
Throughout the study, they reported the medications they were taking, including any anticholinergic drugs. About one-third of the participants were using these medications. Many were taking not just one but several anticholinergic drugs at the same time, with an average of nearly five per person.
When the researchers compared people who used these drugs with those who did not, the results were alarming. People taking one or more anticholinergic drugs had a 47% higher chance of developing mild cognitive impairment.
Mild cognitive impairment, often called MCI, is a condition where a person begins having noticeable problems with memory and thinking. It is not dementia, but it increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
The risks did not stop there. For participants who already had biological signs of Alzheimer’s disease—such as abnormal protein levels in their cerebrospinal fluid—the danger was even more severe.
In this group, people who took anticholinergic drugs were four times more likely to develop cognitive impairment than those who avoided these medications. This suggests that the drugs may accelerate memory decline in people whose brains are already vulnerable.
Genes also played an important role. Some people carry certain genetic markers that increase their risk of Alzheimer’s.
Among those with these genetic risk factors, taking anticholinergic drugs raised the chance of developing mild cognitive impairment by about 2.5 times compared to people without the genes and not taking the drugs. This finding suggests that the combination of genetic risk and medication use can be especially harmful.
These results send a strong message: older adults, especially those who may be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, should be cautious about taking anticholinergic drugs long-term.
These medications are common, but their effects on the brain may add up over time. Reducing or avoiding these drugs before any signs of memory problems appear could help protect cognitive health in later years.
Doctors and patients may need to reconsider whether these medications are truly necessary, and if safer alternatives exist. This study also highlights the need for more research on how everyday medications affect the brain over time.
In conclusion, the University of California study offers an important reminder that medications are not always harmless, especially when used for many years. By paying more attention to how anticholinergic drugs affect thinking and memory, we may be able to better protect brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline for millions of people.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
