Science is always revealing new things to us, based on careful studies. The ball of the hour is the surprising discovery that there are two medicines that cause dementia. Know what they are and prevent yourself.
How was the study that discovered the drugs that cause dementia?
At first, carried out jointly between the University of Washington and Group Health, the study was published in 2021 on the Harvard Health Publication website. However, researchers have shown that two-substance drugs pose a greater risk for dementia.
Benzodiazepines are marketed tranquilizers and sedatives, such as Alprazolam, Bromazepam, Diazepam, Zolpidem, etc. Anticholinergics are antispasmodic, fighting involuntary muscle contractions and pain in body parts. They are marketed as, for example, Buscopan.
For benzodiazepines, the study followed 3,500 men and women, age 65 and older, for seven years. It found that those who used the substance for more than six months had an 84% risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
At the same time, he looked at 2000 men and women of the same age who had Alzheimer’s and found that substance use was present between 5 and 6 years before diagnosis.
The study followed 3,500 men and women age 65 and older to evaluate anticholinergics over a seven-year period as well. They found that continuous use of the substance for three years increased the risk of dementia by 54%. And the diagnosis of the disease occurred in 800 people.
Why do both drugs cause dementia?
Benzodiazepines and anticholinergics affect neurotransmitters. The former produce gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA. Therefore, it slows down brain activities to offer the feeling of deep relaxation.
However, anticholinergics block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter linked to the contraction of blood vessels, heart and digestive system. But he also participates in learning and memory.
Therefore, take precautions and use medicines in complete moderation!
