Anticholinergics to Increase Risk of Alzheimer's

Sailender13 Oct, 2020Health

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine report a class of drugs- associated with increased risk of cognitive decline, especially in older adults at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Anticholinergics, widely used for various conditions, work by blocking acetylcholine (ACh) - a neurotransmitter known to be critical for memory function. Some of these medications require prescription, while some are available over the counter. Researchers reported that participants taking at least one anticholinergic drug were 47% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI).