Study Finds Possible Connection Between Common Drugs and Dementia

A study in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests an association between common medication and dementia, reports WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. Anticholinergic drugs including popular medications like certain antidepressants, anti-Parkinson's drugs, antipsychotics, drugs for frequent urination and incontinence, and anti-epilepsy medications may have a link to dementia. MedStar Health's Cheryl Iglesia noted millions of people are on anticholinergics, some of which can cross the blood-brain barrier — a situation that can be exacerbated by age-related metabolic changes. "You can't get rid of the drug as fast as you typically could when you were younger and there's more chances for these molecules to cross the blood-brain barrier and lead to cognitive dysfunction," she said. The researchers said long-term anticholinergic use significantly increases dementia risk. Iglesia said doctors should be aware of these risks in order to recognize symptoms like memory loss as side effects, and not necessarily the disorder itself.