While it is not uncommon to take medications while overlooking the many listed warnings, a new study has found a link between anticholinergic medications and issues like increased dementia risk and cognitive impairment. This study is the first of its kind to examine these types of physical changes in the body that can lead to cognitive decline.
This class of medications include drugs sold over the counter as sleep aids and to treat chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Examples include Dimetapp, Dramamine, Demerol, Benadryl, and Unisom.
The study involved 451 participants with an average age of 73 years. Sixty of the participants were taking at least one medication in the anticholinergic class. The study was performed by researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
The participants were involved in a number of tests, including memory and cognitive testing, MRI scans to examine brain structure, and PET scans to examine brain metabolism. Participants who were taking medications in the anticholinergic class were found to perform worse in tests for short-term memory, verbal reasoning, and problem solving. Additionally, they had reduced brain volume and lower levels of glucose metabolism overall.
More research is needed to truly understand the connection, but this could be a push for doctors to consider alternatives to these medications for older patients.