Common Drugs Linked To Cognitive Impairment And Possibly To Increased Risk Of Death

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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/229649.php

Common Drugs Linked To Cognitive Impairment And Possibly To Increased Risk Of

Death

Main Category: Hypertension

Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Seniors / Aging;  Psychology

/ Psychiatry

Article Date: 26 Jun 2011 - 0:00 PDT



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g-term study confirms that medications with anticholinergic activity, which

include many drugs frequently taken by older adults, cause cognitive impairment.

The research is also the first to identify a possible link between these drugs -

which include over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids and incontinence

treatments - and risk of death.

The two-year study of the impact of these medications on 13,000 men and women

aged 65 and older is part of the Medical Research Council (UK) Cognitive

Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS), a large UK-based longitudinal multi-center

study initiative looking at health and cognitive function in older adults.

Results of the study of anticholinergics appear June 24, 2011 in an advanced

online publication of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Anticholinergics affect the brain by blocking acetylcholine, a nervous system

neurotransmitter. Over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine, sold

under various brand names such as Benadryl®, Dramamine®, Excedrin PM®,

Nytol®, Sominex®, Tylenol PM®, and Unisom®, have anticolinergic activity.

Other anticholinergic drugs, such as Paxil®, Detrol®, Demerol® and Elavil®

are available by prescription.

" Our findings make it clear that clinicians need to review the cumulative

anticholinergic burden in people presenting with cognitive impairment to

determine if the drugs are causing decline in mental status, " said co-author

Malaz Boustani, M.D., Regenstrief Institute investigator, Indiana University

School of Medicine associate professor of medicine, and research scientist with

the IU Center for Aging Research.

" Physicians should review with older patients all the over-the-counter and

prescription drugs they are taking to determine exposure, " said Dr. Boustani a

geriatrician who sees patients at Wishard Health Services' Healthy Aging Brain

Center in Indianapolis.

The researchers, led by Fox, M.D., of the University of East Anglia and

Carol Brayne, M.D. of the University of Cambridge, used the Anticholinergic

Cognitive Burden Scale developed by Dr. Boustani and colleagues at the

Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University and in the United Kingdom to evaluate

the link betw een anticholinergic activity and cognitive decline.

Medications with anticholinergic effects are used for many diseases including

hypertension and congestive heart failure. The study found that older age, lower

income, and greater number of health conditions increased use of medications

with anticholinergic activity. Women were more likely to report taking

anticholinergic medications, due to the greater number of health conditions

reported by women than by men. Participants living in institutions were more

likely to report taking anticholinergic medications.

Current Article Ratings:

Patient / Public:



5 (1 votes)

Healthcare Prof:



5 (1 votes)

Article Opinions:

 1 posts

" We looked at drugs with either moderate and severe anticholinergic activity.

After adjusting for age, sex, baseline mental status, education, income level,

number of non-anticholinergic medications and health conditions, we found that

taking anticholinergic medications was linked to cognitive impairment and for

the first time to death, " said study corresponding author Dr. Fox, a p

sychiatrist. " We need follow-up to determine the degree to which

anticholinergics are being prescribed for diseases with significant risk of

death and the impact of that on our findings. "

Authors of the study are Fox, M.D., University of East Anglia; Carol

Brayne, M.D., , M.Sc. and M. Savva, Ph.D, University of

Cambridge; Ian D. Maidment, M.A., Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care

Partnership Trust; Fiona E. s, Ph.D., Medical Research Council

Biostatistics Unit; ard, M.D., Kent Community Health NHS Trust; Simon

Coulton M.Sc., University of Kent; Cornelius Katona, M.D., University College

London and Malaz Boustani, M.D., M.P.H., Regenstrief Institute, Indiana

University School of Medicine and IU Center for Aging Research.

" The Anticholinergic Medication Use and Cognitive Impairment in the Older

Population: The Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study

(CFAS) " w as funded by the Medical Research Council.

" The Medical Research Council invests in cohort studies like CFAS because they

provide vital clinical information through observation. Such projects require

long-term commitment to fulfill their potential but having supported cohort

studies for well over half a century, MRC funding and collaborations have made

us an international leader in this field, " said Kennard, MBBS, Ph.D.,

chairman of the MRC's Neuroscience and Mental Health Board.

Dr. Boustani's development of the Anticholinergic Burden Scale was supported by

the U.S. National Institute on Aging.

Source:Indiana University School of Medicine

View drug information on Detrol LA; Excedrin Migraine; Paxil CR.

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[Guest guest]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/229649.php

Common Drugs Linked To Cognitive Impairment And Possibly To Increased Risk Of

Death

Main Category: Hypertension

Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Seniors / Aging;  Psychology

/ Psychiatry

Article Date: 26 Jun 2011 - 0:00 PDT



email to a friend    printer friendly    opinions  

g-term study confirms that medications with anticholinergic activity, which

include many drugs frequently taken by older adults, cause cognitive impairment.

The research is also the first to identify a possible link between these drugs -

which include over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids and incontinence

treatments - and risk of death.

The two-year study of the impact of these medications on 13,000 men and women

aged 65 and older is part of the Medical Research Council (UK) Cognitive

Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS), a large UK-based longitudinal multi-center

study initiative looking at health and cognitive function in older adults.

Results of the study of anticholinergics appear June 24, 2011 in an advanced

online publication of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Anticholinergics affect the brain by blocking acetylcholine, a nervous system

neurotransmitter. Over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine, sold

under various brand names such as Benadryl®, Dramamine®, Excedrin PM®,

Nytol®, Sominex®, Tylenol PM®, and Unisom®, have anticolinergic activity.

Other anticholinergic drugs, such as Paxil®, Detrol®, Demerol® and Elavil®

are available by prescription.

" Our findings make it clear that clinicians need to review the cumulative

anticholinergic burden in people presenting with cognitive impairment to

determine if the drugs are causing decline in mental status, " said co-author

Malaz Boustani, M.D., Regenstrief Institute investigator, Indiana University

School of Medicine associate professor of medicine, and research scientist with

the IU Center for Aging Research.

" Physicians should review with older patients all the over-the-counter and

prescription drugs they are taking to determine exposure, " said Dr. Boustani a

geriatrician who sees patients at Wishard Health Services' Healthy Aging Brain

Center in Indianapolis.

The researchers, led by Fox, M.D., of the University of East Anglia and

Carol Brayne, M.D. of the University of Cambridge, used the Anticholinergic

Cognitive Burden Scale developed by Dr. Boustani and colleagues at the

Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University and in the United Kingdom to evaluate

the link betw een anticholinergic activity and cognitive decline.

Medications with anticholinergic effects are used for many diseases including

hypertension and congestive heart failure. The study found that older age, lower

income, and greater number of health conditions increased use of medications

with anticholinergic activity. Women were more likely to report taking

anticholinergic medications, due to the greater number of health conditions

reported by women than by men. Participants living in institutions were more

likely to report taking anticholinergic medications.

Current Article Ratings:

Patient / Public:



5 (1 votes)

Healthcare Prof:



5 (1 votes)

Article Opinions:

 1 posts

" We looked at drugs with either moderate and severe anticholinergic activity.

After adjusting for age, sex, baseline mental status, education, income level,

number of non-anticholinergic medications and health conditions, we found that

taking anticholinergic medications was linked to cognitive impairment and for

the first time to death, " said study corresponding author Dr. Fox, a p

sychiatrist. " We need follow-up to determine the degree to which

anticholinergics are being prescribed for diseases with significant risk of

death and the impact of that on our findings. "

Authors of the study are Fox, M.D., University of East Anglia; Carol

Brayne, M.D., , M.Sc. and M. Savva, Ph.D, University of

Cambridge; Ian D. Maidment, M.A., Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care

Partnership Trust; Fiona E. s, Ph.D., Medical Research Council

Biostatistics Unit; ard, M.D., Kent Community Health NHS Trust; Simon

Coulton M.Sc., University of Kent; Cornelius Katona, M.D., University College

London and Malaz Boustani, M.D., M.P.H., Regenstrief Institute, Indiana

University School of Medicine and IU Center for Aging Research.

" The Anticholinergic Medication Use and Cognitive Impairment in the Older

Population: The Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study

(CFAS) " w as funded by the Medical Research Council.

" The Medical Research Council invests in cohort studies like CFAS because they

provide vital clinical information through observation. Such projects require

long-term commitment to fulfill their potential but having supported cohort

studies for well over half a century, MRC funding and collaborations have made

us an international leader in this field, " said Kennard, MBBS, Ph.D.,

chairman of the MRC's Neuroscience and Mental Health Board.

Dr. Boustani's development of the Anticholinergic Burden Scale was supported by

the U.S. National Institute on Aging.

Source:Indiana University School of Medicine

View drug information on Detrol LA; Excedrin Migraine; Paxil CR.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/229649.php

Common Drugs Linked To Cognitive Impairment And Possibly To Increased Risk Of

Death

Main Category: Hypertension

Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Seniors / Aging;  Psychology

/ Psychiatry

Article Date: 26 Jun 2011 - 0:00 PDT



email to a friend    printer friendly    opinions  

g-term study confirms that medications with anticholinergic activity, which

include many drugs frequently taken by older adults, cause cognitive impairment.

The research is also the first to identify a possible link between these drugs -

which include over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids and incontinence

treatments - and risk of death.

The two-year study of the impact of these medications on 13,000 men and women

aged 65 and older is part of the Medical Research Council (UK) Cognitive

Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS), a large UK-based longitudinal multi-center

study initiative looking at health and cognitive function in older adults.

Results of the study of anticholinergics appear June 24, 2011 in an advanced

online publication of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Anticholinergics affect the brain by blocking acetylcholine, a nervous system

neurotransmitter. Over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine, sold

under various brand names such as Benadryl®, Dramamine®, Excedrin PM®,

Nytol®, Sominex®, Tylenol PM®, and Unisom®, have anticolinergic activity.

Other anticholinergic drugs, such as Paxil®, Detrol®, Demerol® and Elavil®

are available by prescription.

" Our findings make it clear that clinicians need to review the cumulative

anticholinergic burden in people presenting with cognitive impairment to

determine if the drugs are causing decline in mental status, " said co-author

Malaz Boustani, M.D., Regenstrief Institute investigator, Indiana University

School of Medicine associate professor of medicine, and research scientist with

the IU Center for Aging Research.

" Physicians should review with older patients all the over-the-counter and

prescription drugs they are taking to determine exposure, " said Dr. Boustani a

geriatrician who sees patients at Wishard Health Services' Healthy Aging Brain

Center in Indianapolis.

The researchers, led by Fox, M.D., of the University of East Anglia and

Carol Brayne, M.D. of the University of Cambridge, used the Anticholinergic

Cognitive Burden Scale developed by Dr. Boustani and colleagues at the

Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University and in the United Kingdom to evaluate

the link betw een anticholinergic activity and cognitive decline.

Medications with anticholinergic effects are used for many diseases including

hypertension and congestive heart failure. The study found that older age, lower

income, and greater number of health conditions increased use of medications

with anticholinergic activity. Women were more likely to report taking

anticholinergic medications, due to the greater number of health conditions

reported by women than by men. Participants living in institutions were more

likely to report taking anticholinergic medications.

Current Article Ratings:

Patient / Public:



5 (1 votes)

Healthcare Prof:



5 (1 votes)

Article Opinions:

 1 posts

" We looked at drugs with either moderate and severe anticholinergic activity.

After adjusting for age, sex, baseline mental status, education, income level,

number of non-anticholinergic medications and health conditions, we found that

taking anticholinergic medications was linked to cognitive impairment and for

the first time to death, " said study corresponding author Dr. Fox, a p

sychiatrist. " We need follow-up to determine the degree to which

anticholinergics are being prescribed for diseases with significant risk of

death and the impact of that on our findings. "

Authors of the study are Fox, M.D., University of East Anglia; Carol

Brayne, M.D., , M.Sc. and M. Savva, Ph.D, University of

Cambridge; Ian D. Maidment, M.A., Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care

Partnership Trust; Fiona E. s, Ph.D., Medical Research Council

Biostatistics Unit; ard, M.D., Kent Community Health NHS Trust; Simon

Coulton M.Sc., University of Kent; Cornelius Katona, M.D., University College

London and Malaz Boustani, M.D., M.P.H., Regenstrief Institute, Indiana

University School of Medicine and IU Center for Aging Research.

" The Anticholinergic Medication Use and Cognitive Impairment in the Older

Population: The Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study

(CFAS) " w as funded by the Medical Research Council.

" The Medical Research Council invests in cohort studies like CFAS because they

provide vital clinical information through observation. Such projects require

long-term commitment to fulfill their potential but having supported cohort

studies for well over half a century, MRC funding and collaborations have made

us an international leader in this field, " said Kennard, MBBS, Ph.D.,

chairman of the MRC's Neuroscience and Mental Health Board.

Dr. Boustani's development of the Anticholinergic Burden Scale was supported by

the U.S. National Institute on Aging.

Source:Indiana University School of Medicine

View drug information on Detrol LA; Excedrin Migraine; Paxil CR.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/229649.php

Common Drugs Linked To Cognitive Impairment And Possibly To Increased Risk Of

Death

Main Category: Hypertension

Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Seniors / Aging;  Psychology

/ Psychiatry

Article Date: 26 Jun 2011 - 0:00 PDT



email to a friend    printer friendly    opinions  

g-term study confirms that medications with anticholinergic activity, which

include many drugs frequently taken by older adults, cause cognitive impairment.

The research is also the first to identify a possible link between these drugs -

which include over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids and incontinence

treatments - and risk of death.

The two-year study of the impact of these medications on 13,000 men and women

aged 65 and older is part of the Medical Research Council (UK) Cognitive

Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS), a large UK-based longitudinal multi-center

study initiative looking at health and cognitive function in older adults.

Results of the study of anticholinergics appear June 24, 2011 in an advanced

online publication of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Anticholinergics affect the brain by blocking acetylcholine, a nervous system

neurotransmitter. Over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine, sold

under various brand names such as Benadryl®, Dramamine®, Excedrin PM®,

Nytol®, Sominex®, Tylenol PM®, and Unisom®, have anticolinergic activity.

Other anticholinergic drugs, such as Paxil®, Detrol®, Demerol® and Elavil®

are available by prescription.

" Our findings make it clear that clinicians need to review the cumulative

anticholinergic burden in people presenting with cognitive impairment to

determine if the drugs are causing decline in mental status, " said co-author

Malaz Boustani, M.D., Regenstrief Institute investigator, Indiana University

School of Medicine associate professor of medicine, and research scientist with

the IU Center for Aging Research.

" Physicians should review with older patients all the over-the-counter and

prescription drugs they are taking to determine exposure, " said Dr. Boustani a

geriatrician who sees patients at Wishard Health Services' Healthy Aging Brain

Center in Indianapolis.

The researchers, led by Fox, M.D., of the University of East Anglia and

Carol Brayne, M.D. of the University of Cambridge, used the Anticholinergic

Cognitive Burden Scale developed by Dr. Boustani and colleagues at the

Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University and in the United Kingdom to evaluate

the link betw een anticholinergic activity and cognitive decline.

Medications with anticholinergic effects are used for many diseases including

hypertension and congestive heart failure. The study found that older age, lower

income, and greater number of health conditions increased use of medications

with anticholinergic activity. Women were more likely to report taking

anticholinergic medications, due to the greater number of health conditions

reported by women than by men. Participants living in institutions were more

likely to report taking anticholinergic medications.

Current Article Ratings:

Patient / Public:



5 (1 votes)

Healthcare Prof:



5 (1 votes)

Article Opinions:

 1 posts

" We looked at drugs with either moderate and severe anticholinergic activity.

After adjusting for age, sex, baseline mental status, education, income level,

number of non-anticholinergic medications and health conditions, we found that

taking anticholinergic medications was linked to cognitive impairment and for

the first time to death, " said study corresponding author Dr. Fox, a p

sychiatrist. " We need follow-up to determine the degree to which

anticholinergics are being prescribed for diseases with significant risk of

death and the impact of that on our findings. "

Authors of the study are Fox, M.D., University of East Anglia; Carol

Brayne, M.D., , M.Sc. and M. Savva, Ph.D, University of

Cambridge; Ian D. Maidment, M.A., Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care

Partnership Trust; Fiona E. s, Ph.D., Medical Research Council

Biostatistics Unit; ard, M.D., Kent Community Health NHS Trust; Simon

Coulton M.Sc., University of Kent; Cornelius Katona, M.D., University College

London and Malaz Boustani, M.D., M.P.H., Regenstrief Institute, Indiana

University School of Medicine and IU Center for Aging Research.

" The Anticholinergic Medication Use and Cognitive Impairment in the Older

Population: The Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study

(CFAS) " w as funded by the Medical Research Council.

" The Medical Research Council invests in cohort studies like CFAS because they

provide vital clinical information through observation. Such projects require

long-term commitment to fulfill their potential but having supported cohort

studies for well over half a century, MRC funding and collaborations have made

us an international leader in this field, " said Kennard, MBBS, Ph.D.,

chairman of the MRC's Neuroscience and Mental Health Board.

Dr. Boustani's development of the Anticholinergic Burden Scale was supported by

the U.S. National Institute on Aging.

Source:Indiana University School of Medicine

View drug information on Detrol LA; Excedrin Migraine; Paxil CR.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T