Millions of people take medicines every day to treat allergies, colds, high blood pressure, depression, bladder problems, stomach cramps, and many other health conditions. Many of these medicines belong to a group called anticholinergic drugs.
They have been used for decades and are generally effective for treating a wide range of medical problems. However, scientists are becoming increasingly concerned that long-term use of these medicines may affect brain health, especially in older adults.
A new study from the University of California, San Diego, has found that regularly taking anticholinergic medications may increase the risk of memory and thinking problems. The research suggests that these medicines may be particularly harmful for people who already have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Anticholinergic medicines work by blocking the action of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine. This chemical helps different parts of the body communicate with each other. It plays an important role in muscle movement, digestion, bladder function, and many other body processes.
Acetylcholine is also essential for learning, memory, and clear thinking. When medicines block this chemical, they may relieve certain symptoms, but they can also affect how the brain works.
The study included 688 older adults with an average age of 74 years. At the beginning of the study, none of the participants had problems with memory or thinking. The researchers then followed them for 10 years, recording which people used anticholinergic medicines and how often they took them.
About one-third of the participants were taking at least one anticholinergic medication. Some people were taking as many as five different anticholinergic drugs at the same time.
During the study, the researchers found that people who used one or more of these medicines had a 47 percent higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment.
Mild cognitive impairment is a condition in which memory and thinking abilities begin to decline more than expected with normal aging. Although it is not dementia, it can be an early warning sign and increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later.
The researchers also discovered that the risk was much higher in certain groups of people. Participants who already had biological signs linked to Alzheimer’s disease and were taking anticholinergic medicines were about four times more likely to develop memory and thinking problems.
People who carried genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease were around two and a half times more likely to develop cognitive problems if they were also taking these medicines.
These findings are important because anticholinergic medicines are very common. Many people take them for years without realizing they may affect the brain. In some cases, people may not even know that a medicine has anticholinergic effects because these effects are not always obvious.
The researchers say the study does not prove that these medicines directly cause memory loss. However, the strong link suggests that doctors should carefully consider whether older patients truly need these medicines, particularly if they already have risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
In many situations, there may be other medicines that work just as well without having the same effects on the brain. Patients should never stop taking prescribed medicines on their own, but they should discuss any concerns with their doctor or pharmacist. A healthcare professional can review all of a person’s medicines and determine whether safer alternatives are available.
The study also highlights the importance of reviewing medications regularly as people age. A medicine that was appropriate years ago may no longer be the best choice later in life. Regular medication reviews can help reduce unnecessary risks while ensuring that health conditions continue to be treated effectively.
The researchers hope their findings will encourage more studies to better understand how medications influence brain health over many years. They also want to learn whether reducing or stopping certain medicines, under medical supervision, can help lower the risk of memory decline.
The study reminds us that every medicine has both benefits and risks. As scientists continue learning more about healthy brain aging, choosing the safest treatment for each person becomes increasingly important. Open conversations between patients and healthcare providers can help balance symptom relief with long-term brain health.
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.
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