Sometimes, we tend to prescribe ourselves with certain medications, which we think are efficient, especially if we can buy the drug over the counter. However, a new study suggests that we should slow down in doing so because common drugs can increase the risk of dementia.
Common Drugs Have Side Effects
If one suffers from allergies, insomnia, fever, flu or colds, getting a medication over the counter is convenient and easy. Unfortunately, these pills come with a long list of potential side effects.
A new study suggests that anticholinergic drugs (PDF) are associated with cognitive decline and increases one's risk of dementia, CNN reported. Per AL.com these drugs are sold over the counter for hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and as sleeping aids.
New Study Reveals That Common Drugs Can Impair Cognitive Functions
A new study observed 451 individuals with an average age of 73 years old. Sixty of them maintain at least one medication with medium or high anticholinergic activity. To assess their performance and the changes they go through, the researchers did PET scans to check brain metabolism and MRI scan to assess the structure of their brain.
The cognitive test revealed that those individuals who took anticholinergic drugs have low scores on short-term memory test, verbal reasoning, planning and problem-solving. The study also learned that those individuals have lower levels of glucose metabolism, a biomarker of brain activity. They also suffer from reduced brain volume and larger ventricles in their brain.
"These findings provide us with a much better understanding of how this class of drugs may act upon the brain in ways that might raise the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia," said Shannon Risacher, assistant professor of radiology and imaging sciences.
This is not the first study to reveal the risk associated with anticholinergic medications. A separate study in 2013, revealed that a strong anticholinergic could cause cognitive problems when taken regularly for as few as 60 days. Meanwhile, weaker drugs can cause impairment within 90 days. So, Risacher is calling out the physicians to consider alternative medications for older patients.
