
A recent study has raised concerns about a common medication used to treat chronic pain and other conditions, suggesting a potential link between its use and the risk of dementia.
Gabapentin, an anti-seizure drug that is also commonly prescribed for nerve pain and restless leg syndrome, may be more hazardous to one’s brain health than previously thought. Researchers from Case Western Reserve University have found that individuals who take gabapentin for chronic low back pain are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time compared to non-users.
The study, published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, analyzed medical records of over 26,000 patients diagnosed with chronic low back pain between 2004 and 2024. By comparing groups of patients who received gabapentin prescriptions versus those who did not, scientists were able to identify a striking association between use of the medication and dementia risk.
Specifically, the data revealed that patients who used gabapentin six or more times were roughly 30% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia compared to those who did not. Furthermore, individuals in this group also experienced an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment, with a staggering 85% increase.
Notably, the study found that these associations held true regardless of age, with patients under the age of 65 being significantly more susceptible to these negative effects. Additionally, patients receiving 12 or more prescriptions were found to be at even greater risk, with increased relative risk compared to those with fewer prescriptions.
While this study does not conclusively prove a cause-and-effect relationship between gabapentin and dementia, it does highlight the need for further research into this potential link. Nevertheless, the findings do suggest that healthcare professionals should exercise increased caution when prescribing gabapentin and monitor patients’ cognitive health more closely.
The researchers emphasize that their study is retrospective in nature, which means they can only demonstrate an association between two variables – not prove a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
Source: gizmodo.com