A study is indicating that a commonly prescribed class of drugs may substantially increase dementia risk.
The drugs, known as anticholinergics, are used to treat a variety of conditions like bladder problems, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. They work by inhibiting the chemical messenger acetylcholine, helping to relax or contract muscles.
The discovery was made through a large observational study by researchers from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. The team looked at the medical records of 58,769 people with dementia and 225,574 people without it, all who were at least 55 years old at baseline. The dementia cases had an average age of 82, and 63 percent were women….