Summary: A significant study of U.S. medical records discovered that adults who have been prescribed gabapentin six or more times for chronic low back pain are significantly more likely to experience dementia ( 29 % ) and mild cognitive impairment ( 85 % ) within the next ten years. The threats were particularly high in younger adults between the ages of 35 and 64, where cognitive decline costs more than doubled or tripled as compared to those who weren’t taking the drug.
The findings point to a dose-response marriage, with higher risks associated with more frequent prescriptions. The study emphasizes the need to monitor long-term gabapentin users for cognitive decline, despite being observing and lacking in causal evidence.
Important details
- Adults taking gabapentin six times were 29 % more likely to experience dementia and 85 % more likely to experience mild cognitive impairment.
- In 35 to 64 year olds, the risk ratio was more than double what it was for nonprescribed classmates.
- The higher the chance of mental collapse, the more treatments are filled.
Origin: BMJ
A large medical records study published online in the journal , Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, revealed that receiving six or more prescriptions for the drug gabapentin for low back pain is associated with significantly higher risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) ( 29 % and 85 %, respectively ).
Additionally, the findings indicate that these dangers were more than twice as high in 18-64-year-olds who were typically thought to be too young to produce either condition.
Gabapentin has a low potential for addiction, and unlike drugs, it has become increasingly popular for the treatment of chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain, as a result of its potential neuroprotective effects, claim the scientists.
However, the results to time have been mixed, including if specific age groups may be more vulnerable, are starting to emerge regarding its side effects, including a potential partnership with aging.
The researchers used real-time information from TriNetX, a unified health analysis network, which contains electronic health records from 68 US healthcare organizations to provide more information on these problems.
In keeping with demographics, co-existing conditions, and the use of other analgesic medications, they compared the anonymized records of adult patients who received gabapentin ( 26, 414 in each group ) and who had not received it between 2004 and 2024.
Those who had received six or more antidepressants treatments were 29 % more possible than them to have MCI within ten years of receiving their initial pain treatment.  ,
And when the records were broken down by age, 18 to 64-year-olds who received the medication were more than twice as likely to produce either issue as those who hadn’t received antidepressants.  ,
While there was no lessened risk among 18-34 year olds who were given the medicine, the risks of dementia more than doubled and MCI more than tripled among 35-49 year olds who were given the drug. The 50-64 year olds and women’s demographics shared a similar structure.
Patients with 12 or more prescriptions were 40 % more likely to have dementia and 65 % more likely to have MCI than those who received gabapentin between 3 and 11 times. This is in addition to rising risks.  ,
No conclusive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect from this observational research. The experts also acknowledge that their study was retroactive and that antidepressants use was not tracked by prescription or duration.
However, they come to the conclusion that “our findings link a 10-year decline in memory or mental deficits.” Additionally, a higher antidepressants prescription frequency was associated with dementia incidence.
They add,” Our findings support the need for thorough checking of grownup antidepressants users to assess for potential mental decrease.”
About this study in neuropharmacology and mental collapse
Author: Hannah Ahmed
Source: BMJ
Contact: Hannah Ahmed – BMJ
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Open access to original analysis
Chong H Kim and colleagues wrote,” Threat of delirium following a prescription for gabapentin in chronic low back pain individuals.” Regional Pain Medicine & Anesthesia
Abstract
Danger of dementia in chronic low back pain sufferers following the prescription for ibuprofen
Introduction
Gabapentin is frequently used to treat chronic pain, but it is still not known whether it has any connection to brain decline and memory. This study looked into whether the dosage of ibuprofen is linked to memory in people who have chronic low back pain.
Methods
We used the TriNetX nationwide database of de-identifiable patient data to conduct a review cohort study from 2004 to 2024. Adults who had been diagnosed with chronic low back pain, those who had used ibuprofen before, those who had dementia, seizures, stroke, or cancer were exempt.
Propensity score corresponding was based on populations, comorbidities, and pain medications. People were classified according to period and frequency of ibuprofen prescriptions. Demysticism and mild cognitive impairment were the main results.
Results
Following propensity-score matching, we analyzed 26, 416 parents. Patients with six or more gabapentin prescriptions had an increased incidence of dementia ( RR: 1.29, 95 % CI: 1.18–1.40 ) and mild cognitive impairment ( RR: 1.85, 95 % CI: 1.63–2.10 ). When stratified by age, non-elderly adults ( 18–64 ) prescribed gabapentin had over twice the risk of dementia ( RR: 2.10, 95 % CI: 1.75–2.51 ) and mild cognitive impairment ( RR: 2.50, 95 % CI: 2.04–3.05 ) compared to those not prescribed gabapentin.
Patients who received 12 or more prescriptions had a higher rate of dementia ( RR: 1.40, 95 % CI: 1.25–1. 5 ) and mild cognitive impairment ( RR: 1.65, 95 % CI: 1.42–1.91 ) than those who received gabapentin three or more times.
Conclusions
Adults taking ibuprofen have a higher risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, especially in non-elderly adults, according to research. Physicians may check the cognitive functioning of gabapentin-treated patients.
