While gabapentin and pregabalin serve crucial roles in managing various medical conditions, the emerging link between these drugs and dementia raises serious concerns. Given the evidence of potential cognitive decline, particularly with long-term use and high cumulative doses, a cautious and well-informed approach is necessary. We present the case of a patient with incipient vascular dementia accompanied by nocturnal agitation, which was successfully treated with gabapentin. Gabapentin appears to be useful and well-tolerated in this indication. The authors describe the use of gabapentin in the treatment of 4 outpatients with dementia-associated agitation. On the basis of clinical case reports and the Overt Agitation Severity Scale, all 4 patients had reduced agitation with gabapentin. Background: Gabapentin is increasingly prescribed to older adults, which raises concerns about its potential to cause neurocognitive changes. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association of gabapentin use with neurocognitive changes (i.e., cognitive decline, functional status decline, and motor function change) in older adults. AD, VaD, dementia of traumatic brain injury, anoxic brain damage dementia, dementia NOS, alcoholic dementia, Parkinson's dementia: Gabapentin: 1318 mg day −1 average (300–3600 mg day −1) OASa, OASSYb, CMAIc, CGI-Id: 5-very much improved 12- much Improved 4-Minimally Improved 1-Unchanged 2-Dropout: Excessive sedation, 2: 4: Herrmann et al Although previous studies have established a link between chronic pain and elevated risk of cognitive dysfunction, including dementia (Kao et al., 2021; Chen et al., 2023; Cao et al., 2019), the literature is sparse on gabapentin's potential role in dementia onset. Especially in older adults, gabapentin is prescribed to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) (Kim et al., 2008). Several studies have reported that gabapentin has a deleterious effect on cognition (Leach et al., 1997; Meador et al., 1999; Shem et al., 2018). Gabapentin use has been associated with memory loss and cognitive decline. Studies suggest that the risk of dementia may be higher in patients treated with gabapentin. It is important for patients and healthcare providers to be aware of the potential cognitive side effects of gabapentin. And since treatment options for dementia are limited, prevention is key. Dementia risk is tied to common things like diabetes, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity. But some common medications are associated with dementia risk, too. Here are four common drug classes linked to dementia, and what the research says about your risk. 1. Moreover, dementia risk increased along with the cumulative dose. Taking an anticholinergic for the equivalent of three years or more was associated with a 54% higher dementia risk than taking the same dose for three months or less. The University of Washington study is the first to include nonprescription drugs. Moreover, the stratification analysis revealed that the risk of dementia associated with gabapentin or pregabalin exposure was significant in all age subgroups; however, it was higher in younger patients (age <50) than in the older patients (hazard ratio, 3.16; 95% CI, 2.23-4.47). Gabapentin use was significantly associated with decline in cognitive and functional status among older adults with initially normal cognition. Further studies are needed to examine the association. Recent studies have begun to paint a clearer picture regarding the relationship between Gabapentin and Alzheimer’s disease. 1. Cognitive Function and Memory Impairment. Some research indicates that Gabapentin may have an impact on cognitive function, particularly in older adults. Here are some key findings: The prevalence of gabapentin use increased from 2006 to 2019, both in overall population and within every subgroup (i.e., cognitive status, age group, and sex). About 10–30% of gabapentin users reported to concurrently use gabapentin with opioids. Over one-half of gabapentin users with dementia concurrently used gabapentin with antidepressants. The study showed that gabapentin use not linked to higher dementia risk. No elevated dementia risk was found across varying dosage levels or among different age and gender subgroups. Abstract Gabapentin has been increasingly prescribed to older adults for off-label indications, and accumulating evidence suggests potential for gabapentin misuse and related adverse events. However, the relation between gabapentin initiation and longer-term neurocognitive changes is not well understood. The results revealed that the risk of dementia associated with gabapentin or pregabalin exposure was significant in all subgroups except for the strata having depression or head injury. The risk of dementia development was higher in the younger group (age <50 years) than that in the older group. This large, robust study showed a definite link between anticholinergic medications and patients who have dementia, but it didn’t prove that there was a direct cause. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio of risk of dementia for gabapentin or pregabalin exposure versus the matched non-exposed group was 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.55). The risk of dementia increased with higher cumulative defined daily doses during the follow-up period. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us.
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