Popular Insomnia & Allergy Drugs Linked to Alzheimer’s
New research published in the journal JAMA Neurology found a link between intake of insomnia and allergy drugs, and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It suggests that these drugs lower brain metabolism and higher brain atrophy. Apart from that, people who took anticholinergic drugs also scored lower on memory tests.
This is not the first time that allergy and insomnia drugs have been linked to Alzheimer’s. In 2015, researchers from University of Washington found that certain anticholinergic sleep aids and hay fever increase risk of dementia.
The latest study, held by researchers from Indiana University, involved 500 older people whose average age was in the mid-seventies and who did not have a previous history of dementia. The participants went through cognitive tests which evaluated their memory, math skills, and decision-making abilities.
Researchers found that people who took this medication had higher rates of cognitive impairment.
According to one of the researchers, these findings might give clues to the biological basis for the cognitive problems associated with anticholinergic drugs. However, he notes that additional studies are needed if we are to truly understand the mechanisms involved.
The medications which were linked to Alzheimer’s included popular medications like Benadryl, Dramamine, Advil PM and Unison.
While more research is necessary to confirm these findings, it can be a good idea to limit the intake of these medications. The good news is there are non-medication approaches that are proven to help fight insomnia and reduce allergy symptoms. For instance, a 2010 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that peppermint oil may act as a relaxant and exhibits antispasmodic activity which prevents/alleviates coughing. Meanwhile, chamomile tea, aromatherapy and acupuncture are all great therapies to induce sleep.
Source of this article:
Association Between Anticholinergic Medication Use and Cognition, Brain Metabolism, and Brain Atrophy in Cognitively Normal Older Adults
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