A new study from the University of Eastern Finland and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) has found an association between the use of antiepileptic drugs and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
In the Finnish dataset of the study, it showed that continuous use of antiepileptic drugs over a period of one year had an associated 15% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, while in the German dataset, there was a 30% increased risk of dementia.
Some of the antiepileptic drugs are known to cause impaired cognitive function. When comparing the various drugs, the researchers found that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia was associated with drugs that impair cognitive function.
These specific drugs were associated with a 20% increased risk of Alzheimer’s and a 60% increased risk of dementia.
However, there are other antiepileptic drugs, specifically those that do not impair cognitive processing, that aren’t associated with the risk.
Heidi Taipale, senior researcher from the University of Eastern Finland, said: “More research should be conducted into the long-term cognitive effects of these drugs, especially among older people.”
What else are antiepileptic drugs used to treat?
Apart from epilepsy, the drugs are used to treat other conditions, which include:
- Neuropathic pain;
- Bipolar disorder; and
- Generalised anxiety disorder.
This study was the largest research on the topic and the first to investigate the association in terms of regularity of use, dose and comparing the risk of the drug consumption and cognitive impairing effects.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Below are some of the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease:
- Memory loss;
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks;
- Misplacing items often;
- Difficulty planning and solving problems;
- Vision loss;
- Difficulty making decisions; and
- Difficulty determining time or place.
Results of the study were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Source: AlphaGalileo
