A commonly used drug for nerve and back pain is now being linked to a significantly higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline. New research offers an alarming insight into how long-term use may affect the brain.
Gabapentin and brain health
Researchers have identified a clear association between the use of gabapentin and an increased risk of both dementia and mild cognitive impairment, especially with repeated prescriptions.
Risk increases with the number of prescriptions
Patients with six or more prescriptions faced a significantly higher risk, and the figure rose even further for those with 12 prescriptions or more.
Younger adults are not immune
Even people aged 35 to 49 experienced more than double the risk of dementia and triple the risk of mild cognitive impairment.
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Age plays a crucial role
The same pattern was observed in those aged 50–64, while the youngest group, aged 18–34, showed no increased risk in the study.
Blood sugar and nervous system effects
In addition to cognitive consequences, gabapentin is known to affect nerve pathways and blood sugar regulation, which can indirectly influence brain function.
Delayed onset of symptoms
Diagnoses often appeared within a decade of the first treatment, suggesting a slow but serious progression.
Observational study limitations
Researchers caution that no direct cause-and-effect relationship can be confirmed, as the study was observational in nature.
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Other medications show opposite trends
Studies have shown that certain antibiotics, antiviral drugs and vaccines can reduce dementia risk, offering hope for prevention strategies.
Concerns about polypharmacy
The combination of several drugs, including antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, has previously been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline.
Need for close monitoring
Experts recommend that patients taking gabapentin are closely monitored for early signs of memory and concentration problems.
This article is based on information from Nyheder24
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