Common Drugs Tied to Increased Risk of Cognitive Decline
A class of drugs used for many conditions, including allergies, colds, high blood pressure and depression, may be associated with an increased risk of developing mild thinking and memory problems, particularly in people who have genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease or markers of this condition, according to a study published in the September 2, 2020, online issue of Neurology. These types of drugs, called anticholinergic drugs, are used for motion sickness, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure. There are approximately 100 such drugs in widespread use, with some requiring a prescription and many others that may be purchased over the counter.
The study found that cognitively normal people taking at least one anticholinergic drug were 47% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to dementia, over the next decade than people who were not taking such drugs.
“Our findings suggest that reducing the use of anticholinergic drugs before people develop any cognitive problems may be an important way to prevent the negative consequences of these drugs on thinking skills, especially for people who have an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” said study author Lisa Delano-Wood, Ph.D., of the University of California, San Diego. “Future studies are needed to see if indeed stopping the use of these drugs could lead to a reduction in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease down the road.”
8 Foods That Are Good For Your Mental Health | Food For Mental Health
Mental health is an issue that has been doing rounds a lot off late now. While there is hardly any dearth of research in this field, mental health continues to be a topic whose full understanding evades us. How do we keep ourselves happy in mind as well as the body? How do we not feel depressed? While different people can suggest different solutions, a clear answer is difficult to come across. However, in our own little ways, we can try & control our diet so that the extremity of our emotional outbursts remains in check. Keeping this mind, here are 8 foods that are great for your mental health…
Don’t Buy into Brain Health Supplements
Forget about those over-the-counter products that promise better memory.
A recent survey found that about 25% of adults over age 50 take a supplement to improve their brain health with the promise of enhanced memory and sharper attention and focus.
The problem? There’s no solid proof any of them work.
“The main issue with all over-the-counter supplements is lack of regulation,” says Dr. Gad Marshall, associate medical director at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “The FDA doesn’t oversee product testing or ingredient accuracy — they just look out for supplements that make health claims related to the treatment of specific diseases.”
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